Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 104 Part 4.djvu/491

 PUBLIC LAW 101-570—NOV. 15, 1990 104 STAT. 2807 Public Law 101-570 101st Congress Joint Resolution Designating 1991 as the "Year of Thanksgiving for the Blessings of Liberty". Whereas the people of the United States have expressed gratitude by celebrating a national season of thanksgiving since the 17th century; Whereas the War for Independence was won and the constitution written and adopted to secure the blessings of liberty for citizens; Whereas after the first Congress drafted a Bill of Rights to be added to the Constitution, established a Federal judicial system, created departments of administration, and established the Government of the United States under the Constitution, it requested President Washington to issue a proclamation of national thanksgiving; Whereas in the first Presidential proclamation. President Washington called on the people of the United States to acknowledge, by thanksgiving, the blessings of civil and religious liberty; Whereas by December 15, 1791, three-quarters of the United States had ratified the proposed Bill of Rights; Whereas 1991 is recognized as the official observance of the bicentennial of the ratification of the Bill of Rights; and Whereas for 200 years the people of the United States have enjoyed the blessings of liberty under the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, embodied in the first 10 amendments of the Constitution: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled. That 1991 is designated as the "Year of Thanksgiving for the Blessings of Liberty", and the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the Governors of the several States, the chief officials of local governments, and the people of the United States to observe the year with appropriate ceremonies and activities. Approved November 15, 1990. LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S.J. Res. 369: CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 136 (1990): Oct. 1, considered and passed Senate. Oct. 24, considered and passed House. Nov. 15, 1990 [S.J. Res. 369]

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