BILL ANALYSIS Ó HR 9 Page 1 Date of Hearing: June 18, 2015 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON RULES Richard Gordon, Chair HR 9 (Irwin) - As Introduced February 24, 2015 SUBJECT: 4th of July. SUMMARY: Recognizes and celebrates the 4th of July, and the 239th anniversary of the birth of our nation and the signing of the Declaration of Independence; calls upon all Californians and Americans to obtain a greater knowledge and understanding of the facts, circumstances, and principles that led to the Declaration of Independence; and expresses thanks, appreciation and prayers to those who served and currently serve in the Armed Forces of the United States in recognition of the sacrifices and the role they have placed in preserving, protecting and defending the freedoms and liberties of all Americans. Specifically, this resolution makes the following legislative findings: 1)July 4, 2015, marks the 239th anniversary of when the United States of America officially came into being by the signing of the Declaration of Independence; and it is the day when the new nation declared as a "self-evident truth" the radical notion that" all men are created equal endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." 2)On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee brought forth a resolution which resolved that the colonies "ought to be, free and HR 9 Page 2 independent states...and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain, is , and ought to be, totally dissolved?"; and after several days of debate, a "Committee of Five" which included Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, John Adams of Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, Robert R. Livingston of New York, and Roger Sherman of Connecticut, was charged with drafting a declaration of independence for consideration by the Continental Congress. 3)On July 4, 1776, after much debate and changes to the committee document, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence establishing the United States of America; and John Hancock signed the declaration that day with 55 other delegates representing the 13 colonies - now states of the newly created nation - signing within the next several weeks. 4)Since its adoption, the Declaration of Independence has inspired persons around the world to pursue freedom in their own nation and remains an unrealized goal to which all Americans must rededicate themselves just as the drafters and signers of the Declaration of Independence did more than two centuries ago. 5)On this and every July Fourth, it is proper and fitting that all Californians express gratitude and indebtedness to those who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States, and in particular, to those who have suffered injuries and who have made the ultimate sacrifice in protecting freedom and liberty around the world. FISCAL EFFECT: None REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION: HR 9 Page 3 Support None on file Opposition None on file Analysis Prepared by:Nicole Willis / RLS. / (916) 319-2800