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IN RECOGNITION OF LIBERTY DAY 2021
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HON. ROBERT J. WITTMAN
of virginia
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, March 16, 2021
Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Liberty Day, a celebration of our rights and liberties as Americans which are rooted in the cherished documents that gave birth to our nation, the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution. Today, March 16th, marks the 270th birthday of the Father of our Constitution, James Madison, making this year's Liberty Day particularly noteworthy.
In 2000, Congress passed a resolution that Liberty Day should be celebrated each year as a remembrance of both the freedom that Americans were given in the Declaration of Independence and the extraordinary rights and liberties that Americans were given in their Constitution. The American experiment is unique in history, creating a republic of people united by a set of values, not by blood or land. Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness bind Americans together, not our race or ethnicity.
In addition to serving as the Fourth President of the United States, James Madison was crucial to the formation of our country. President Madison authored the Virginia Plan, the model and basis for the United States Constitution. Later, during the 1st Congress of the United States, President Madison introduced the Bill of Rights, whereupon the first ten amendments of the Constitution were adopted. His other contributions, such as authoring many of the Federalist Papers, also deserve our recognition. Due to his essential role in the creation of our nation, Congress designated March 16th, Madison's birthday, as Liberty Day.
In celebration of Liberty Day, I would encourage all Americans to read, learn, and discuss the Constitution with their friends and family. After doing so consider contacting your Representative, Senators, and President to share your views. All elected officials, whether they serve at the federal, state, or local level, should look to the Constitution as they go about their duty of governing this great nation.
The revered documents that gave birth to our nation always deserve our celebration, but the 270th birthday of James Madison makes today especially significant. To mark this historic occasion, I encourage Americans to take today to learn about our nation's history and its founding documents. Therefore, Madam Speaker, I ask that you rise with me to celebrate Liberty Day.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 49
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
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