SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION
No. 31
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
217th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 11, 2016
Sponsored by:
Senator ANTHONY R. BUCCO
District 25 (Morris and Somerset)
Co-Sponsored by:
Senator Connors
SYNOPSIS
Designates September 17 through September 23 of each year as "Constitution Week."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As amended by the Senate on October 20, 2016.
A Joint Resolution designating September 17 through September 23 of each year as "Constitution Week."
Whereas, In the youth of this great nation, our forefathers sought to secure the principles expressed in the Declaration of Independence by establishing a government that derives its power from the consent of the American people; and
Whereas, In so doing, in order to form a more perfect union and to secure the blessings of liberty for themselves and their posterity, our Founding Fathers resolved to establish a constitution that would serve as the supreme law of the land; and
Whereas, To this end, on September 17, 1787, the United States Constitution was signed by 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia and thereafter sent to the states for ratification; and
Whereas, In receipt of the Constitution, delegates from across New Jersey, chosen by the people, met in Trenton to form the State's Constitutional Convention, where on December 18, 1787 they unanimously agreed to ratify the Constitution on behalf of the people of this State; and
Whereas, The Constitution sets forth the most fundamental and indispensible pillars of American government, including a separation of powers between coequal legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government, a system of federalism intended to limit central authority and preserve the sovereignty of the states and the people, and a protection from tyranny through the guarantee of certain sacred liberties and civil rights of the individual; and
Whereas, The Constitution's powerful framework for establishing and preserving liberty, justice, and opportunity has enabled us to prosper as a nation and thrive as a people through more than two centuries of political change, social transformation, and economic challenge; and
Whereas, In structuring the Constitution, the framers also recognized the potential for necessary change and included a constitutional amendment process, which has proven to be a vitally important mechanism for achieving equality and fairness for all American citizens; and
Whereas, Since its inception, the United States has stood as a beacon of democracy and liberty, and our Constitution has served as a true and tested model of government by and for the People, thereby inspiring other peoples across the ages and around the globe to pursue justice, freedom, and independence; and
Whereas, The Constitution is fundamentally predicated on governance by "We the People," thus demanding that all American citizens possess an understanding of the Constitution and its framework in order to preserve the civic health of our republic; and
Whereas, September 17 of each year marks the anniversary of the signing of the Constitution, providing an opportunity for all Americans to remember the achievements and vision of our Founding Fathers and the rights, privileges, and responsibilities the Constitution affords; and
Whereas, By joint resolution of Congress on August 2, 1956, the President is authorized to annually proclaim the week beginning September 17 and ending September 23 of each year as "Constitution Week"; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The week of September 17 through September 23 of each year is designated "Constitution Week" in order to remember and honor the signing of the Constitution of the United States of America on September 17, 1787 and to raise public awareness of the important role the Constitution plays in the lives of American citizens.
2. The Governor 1[shall] may1 issue each year a proclamation calling upon public officials and the citizens of this State to observe the week with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.