BILL ANALYSIS �
HR 32
Page 1
Date of Hearing: June 28, 2012
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON RULES
Nancy Skinner, Chair
HR 32 (Morrell) - As Introduced: June 14, 2012
SUBJECT : 4th of July
SUMMARY : Recognizes and celebrates the 4th of July, and the
236th 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 played in preserving, protecting and defending the
freedoms and liberties of all Americans. Specifically, this
resolution makes the following legislative findings:
1)July 4, 2012, marks the 236th 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
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
HR 32
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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 :
Support
None on file.
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by : Kelli Adams / RLS. / (916) 319-2800