[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 254 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 254


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           November 14, 2001

        Received and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
  Encouraging the people of the United States to celebrate the 300th 
    anniversary of William Penn's Charter of Privileges, the 250th 
anniversary of the Liberty Bell, and the 225th anniversary of the first 
           public reading of the Declaration of Independence.

Whereas William Penn was a distinguished statesman and a principled defender of 
        human rights and religious liberties;
Whereas in 1701, William Penn wrote Charter of Privileges, which set a new 
        standard for religious liberty that profoundly impacted the Nation's 
        history and still provides an example for the world today;
Whereas religious freedom is still one of the most fragile liberties, and today, 
        millions of people around the world are persecuted for their religious 
        beliefs;
Whereas the year 2001 marks the 300th anniversary of the publication of Charter 
        of Privileges;
Whereas the Liberty Bell was designed to commemorate the 50th anniversary of 
        Charter of Privileges and is a powerful reminder of the Nation's 
        commitment to freedom and justice;
Whereas the Liberty Bell became a defining symbol of the abolitionist movement, 
        which sought to rid the Nation of slavery;
Whereas the year 2001 marks the 250th anniversary of the completion of the 
        Liberty Bell; and
Whereas the year 2001 is also the 225th anniversary of the first public reading 
        of the Declaration of Independence, which contains the immortal phrase: 
        ``We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created 
        equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable 
        Rights'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress--
            (1) encourages the people of the United States to celebrate 
        the 300th anniversary of William Penn's Charter of Privileges, 
        the 250th anniversary of the Liberty Bell, and the 225th 
        anniversary of the first public reading of the Declaration of 
        Independence; and
            (2) encourages the Nation's leaders to reaffirm their 
        commitment to promoting human rights and religious freedom in 
        the Nation and around the world.

            Passed the House of Representatives November 13, 2001.

            Attest:

                                                 JEFF TRANDAHL,

                                                                 Clerk.