H.J.R. 10

1

RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING BILL OF
2 RIGHTS DAY
3 2001 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Sponsor: J. Morgan Philpot
6 This joint resolution of the Legislature designates December 15, 2001 as Bill of Rights Day
7 in the state of Utah. The resolution urges government entities in the state to appropriately
8 observe Bill of Rights Day, and that the Bill of Rights be read in public schools and in the
9 Legislature.
10 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
11 WHEREAS, the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution are referred to as
12 the Bill of Rights, which limit and define the powers of government;
13 WHEREAS, the Bill of Rights recognizes, affirms, and protects fundamental, individual
14 human rights for which the human race has struggled for thousands of years;
15 WHEREAS, the Bill of Rights secures freedom to speak, print, read, assemble, pray,
16 petition the government, and keep and bear arms;
17 WHEREAS, the Bill of Rights protects Americans from unreasonable arrests, searches,
18 excessive bail, double jeopardy, coerced confessions, and cruel and unusual punishment;
19 WHEREAS, the Bill of Rights secures rights to due process, jury trials, counsel, and to
20 present witnesses;
21 WHEREAS, designating a Bill of Rights Day would help prevent the Bill of Rights from
22 being forgotten;
23 WHEREAS, since many Americans are not familiar with the Bill of Rights, Bill of Rights
24 Day would encourage schools to instruct students about this vital aspect of American heritage;
25 WHEREAS, designating a Bill of Rights Day would demonstrate to the world Utah's
26 commitment to fundamental human rights;
27 WHEREAS, just as celebrating religious holidays reminds Americans of their religious

28 beliefs and traditions, Bill of Rights Day would remind Utahns of the manner in which its history
29 and philosophy have secured the rights for which oppressed people everywhere still yearn;
30 WHEREAS, Bill of Rights Day would remind elected and appointed officials and
31 employees of the state and local executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government that
32 their authority and powers are limited;
33 WHEREAS, Bill of Rights Day would remind all members of government that they serve
34 the citizens and that the citizens always hold the right to restrain government;
35 WHEREAS, the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights deserve celebration,
36 and the sacrifices made to protect the Bill of Rights deserve remembrance; and
37 WHEREAS, the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution was ratified on December
38 15, 1791:
39 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
40 designate December 15, 2001 as Bill of Rights Day in the state of Utah.
41 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature urges all governmental entities in Utah
42 to observe Bill of Rights Day in a manner that brings to mind the meaning and importance of each
43 of the ten provisions contained in the Bill of Rights.
44 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature urges that on Bill of Rights Day, or on
45 the first business day afterwards, the Bill of Rights be read in all public schools and in all
46 government meetings and courtrooms.
47 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that on the first day of the 2002 General Session of the
48 Legislature, the Bill of Rights be read aloud in its entirety in both houses of the Legislature.
49 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to Governor Michael
50 O. Leavitt, the Utah Supreme Court, the Utah Association of Counties, and the Utah League of
51 Cities and Towns.
52 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and other government entities work
53 with civic organizations and groups to disseminate copies of the Bill of Rights to schools and to
54 communicate the importance of the Bill of Rights to our American representative democracy.

Legislative Review Note
as of 1-22-01 4:45 PM

A limited legal review of this legislation raises no obvious constitutional or statutory concerns.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel