[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 333 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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118th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 333
Designating 2024 as the Year of Democracy as a time to reflect on the
contributions of the system of Government of the United States to a
more free and stable world.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
September 7, 2023
Mr. Durbin (for himself and Mr. Grassley) submitted the following
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Designating 2024 as the Year of Democracy as a time to reflect on the
contributions of the system of Government of the United States to a
more free and stable world.
Whereas 2,000 years after the ancient Greeks laid the groundwork for democracy,
the founders of the United States built an even greater system of
Government, a democratic republic, propelling the United States to
become the most advanced nation in human history;
Whereas the model of Government of the United States has been reproduced around
the world;
Whereas Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln, respectively, described democracy
as the ``light that led us out of gothic darkness'' and humankind's
``last best hope'';
Whereas recent life-threatening and life-altering attacks and threats against
political figures and public servants speak loudly to the necessity of
maintaining mutual respect and civility for the right of an opponent to
advocate for or oppose policies;
Whereas the ardent pursuit of one's policies is not diminished whatsoever by the
exercise of respect and civility that assures the maintenance of our
democracy and freedoms;
Whereas President John F. Kennedy said, we ``must remember on both sides that
civility is not a sign of weakness'';
Whereas, according to the 2022 Freedom House report, only about 20 percent of
the global population now live in ``free'' countries;
Whereas the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights, including
the addition of the Reconstruction Era amendments, enshrine the rights
and civil liberties of the citizens of the United States, including the
right to vote in free and fair elections;
Whereas the perpetuation of the ideals of democracy does not happen on its own
and can be stalled or reversed;
Whereas surveys show citizens of the United States are losing faith in the
democratic system;
Whereas former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor said, ``The practice of
democracy is not passed down through the gene pool. It must be taught
and learned anew by each generation of citizens.'';
Whereas President Ronald Reagan said, ``Democracy is worth dying for, because
it's the most deeply honorable form of government ever devised by
man.'';
Whereas Congressman John R. Lewis said in his final words to the United States,
``Democracy is not a state. It is an act, and each generation must do
its part to help build what we called the Beloved Community, a nation
and world society at peace with itself.'';
Whereas World War II demonstrated the fragility of democracy and the civilized
life that accompanies democracy;
Whereas British Prime Minister Winston Churchill observed that, ``Indeed it has
been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except for all
those other forms that have been tried from time to time . . .'';
Whereas President George Washington said the United States must recognize the
immense value of the National Union and work towards preservation of
that Union with ``jealous anxiety'' and wrote that the security of a
free Constitution may be accomplished by ``teaching the people
themselves to know and to value their own rights'';
Whereas President Thomas Jefferson wrote, ``Educate and inform the whole mass of
the people . . . They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of
our liberty.''; and
Whereas the Government of the United States must teach and educate the people by
taking appropriate actions to highlight and emphasize the importance of
democratic principles and civility in the freedoms and way of life
enjoyed by the people of the United States: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) designates 2024 as the ``Year of Democracy'';
(2) encourages States and local governments to designate
2024 as the ``Year of Democracy'';
(3) recognizes the celebration of the ``Year of Democracy''
as a time to reflect on the contributions of the system of
Government of the United States to a more free and stable
world; and
(4) encourages the people of the United States to observe
the ``Year of Democracy'' with appropriate ceremonies and
activities that--
(A) provide appreciation for the system of
Government of the United States;
(B) demonstrate that the people of the United
States shall never forget the sacrifices made by past
generations of people of the United States to preserve
the freedoms and principles of the United States; and
(C) remind our citizens that those with differing
political opinions are often their neighbors, fellow
religious congregants, and extended family members with
whom they share many life values and can respectfully
disagree.
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