Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 100 Part 5.djvu/39

 PUBLIC LAW 99-629—NOV. 7, 1986

100 STAT. 3513

Public Law 99-629 99th Congress Joint Resolution To designate the week beginning January 19, 1987, as "Shays' Rebellion Week" and Sunday, January 25, 1987, as "Shays' Rebellion Day".

Whereas January 25, 1987, marks the bicentennial of the final uprising in western Massachusetts of Daniel Shays and his men, during a period of unrest in the years following the Revolutionary War; Whereas the landowners of western Massachusetts felt they were unduly burdened because money was scarce, taxes were high, punishments for debts were severe, and the government was unresponsive; Whereas Shays led the dissatisfied landowners in a series of attacks to stop debt procedures in local courts; Whereas on January 25, 1787, a major confrontation occurred in Springfield when the militia wounded, killed, and caught several of Shays' rebels as they stormed the arsenal; Whereas the uprisings of Shays' Rebellion exposed the problems in the existing form of government to the people of America and prompted a meeting of delegates in Philadelphia to correct the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation; and Whereas Shays' Rebellion was instrumental in bringing about the writing of the Constitution of the United States: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the week beginning January 19, 1987, is designated as "Shays' Rebellion Week" and Sunday, January 25, 1987, is designated as "Shays' Rebellion Day". The President is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe such week and day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. Approved November 7, 1986.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.J. Res. 10: CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 132 (1986): Oct. 10, considered and passed House. Oct. 18, considered and passed Senate.

Nov. 7, 1986 [H.J. Res. 10]

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