Bill Text: DE SCR178 | 2023-2024 | 152nd General Assembly | Draft

---

Bill Title: Designating October 21-27, 2024, As "free Speech Week" In The State Of Delaware.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2024-06-12 - Passed In House by Voice Vote [SCR178 Detail]

Download: Delaware-2023-SCR178-Draft.html

---

SPONSOR:	Sen. Buckson & Rep. Postles & Rep. Dorsey Walker
Sens. Hocker, Huxtable, Lawson, Pettyjohn, Richardson, Sokola, Wilson; Reps. Hilovsky, Morrison, Parker Selby, Romer, Yearick

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

152nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 178

DESIGNATING OCTOBER 21-27, 2024, AS "FREE SPEECH WEEK" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, our Founding Fathers created and adopted the United States Constitution in 1787, thereby setting forth the supreme law of the United States of America; and

WHEREAS, the first ten amendments to the Constitution, written by James Madison to guarantee individual freedoms, were ratified in 1791 and became known collectively as the Bill of Rights; and

WHEREAS, the First Amendment states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances”; and

WHEREAS, freedom of speech is a right guaranteed to all Americans; and

WHEREAS, Free Speech Week, a national, annual, non-partisan, commemorative event, takes place during the third full week of October to raise awareness of the importance of free speech and a free press in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Free Speech Week is designed to be an inclusive celebration for all Americans, and as such, a wide variety of organizations, schools and individuals across the country will conduct activities and events devoted to free speech topics to mark the week; and

WHEREAS, Free Speech Week is also an opportunity to share information with the public and the media as a way of furthering the vision of our Founding Fathers; and

WHEREAS, Benjamin Franklin in 1722 wrote, “Whoever would overthrow the Liberty of a Nation, must begin by subduing the Freeness of Speech”; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Jefferson in 1786 wrote, “Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.”

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 152nd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that October 21-27, 2024, be designated as “Free Speech Week” in the State of Delaware.

SYNOPSIS

This Senate Concurrent Resolution designates October 21-27, 2024, as "Free Speech Week" in the State of Delaware.

Author: Senator Buckson