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[Pages S3849-S3850]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS
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SENATE RESOLUTION 252--DESIGNATING SEPTEMBER 2019 AS NATIONAL DEMOCRACY
MONTH AS A TIME TO REFLECT ON THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE SYSTEM OF
GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO A MORE FREE AND STABLE WORLD
Mr. GRAHAM (for himself and Mrs. Feinstein) submitted the following
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
S. Res. 252
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, according to Freedom House, more than 1 in 3
people in the world do not live in states considered free;
[[Page S3850]]
Whereas the Constitution of the United States and the Bill
of Rights, with the addition of the Reconstruction Era
amendments, including the 14th and 15th Amendments, and the
19th Amendment, enshrine the rights and civil liberties of
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 that 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 John F. Kennedy said, ``Democracy is
never a final achievement. It is a call to untiring effort,
to continual sacrifice and to the willingness, if necessary,
to die in its defense.'';
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 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 evidence of the diminution of strong support for
democratic principles in recent years among citizens of the
United States suggests the Government of the United States
must once more teach and educate the people by taking
appropriate actions to highlight and emphasize the importance
of democratic principles and the essential role of democratic
principles 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 September 2019 as ``National Democracy
Month'';
(2) encourages States and local governments to designate
September 2019 as ``National Democracy Month'';
(3) recognizes the celebration of ``National Democracy
Month'' 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
``National Democracy Month'' with appropriate ceremonies and
activities that--
(A) provide appreciation for the system of government of
the United States; and
(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.
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