[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 148 Introduced in House (IH)]






109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 148

  Recognizing the 230th anniversary of the Mecklenburg Declaration of 
   Independence, which was the first proclamation issued by American 
colonists calling for complete separation of the American colonies from 
                           the British Crown.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 10, 2005

   Mrs. Myrick (for herself, Mr. Hayes, and Mr. Watt) submitted the 
following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                           Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
  Recognizing the 230th anniversary of the Mecklenburg Declaration of 
   Independence, which was the first proclamation issued by American 
colonists calling for complete separation of the American colonies from 
                           the British Crown.

Whereas, during the 1770s, conflicts grew between American colonists and the 
        British Crown that wanted to maintain control over their North American 
        colonies;
Whereas, on April 19, 1775, British soldiers and American patriots exchanged 
        fire in the Massachusetts' towns of Lexington and Concord, starting what 
        would become the American Revolution;
Whereas, a day after learning of the Battle of Lexington and Concord, delegates 
        at a Mecklenburg County convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, 
        expressed outrage at the British attack on Massachusetts colonists;
Whereas, at the Mecklenburg County convention, the 27 delegates present voted to 
        declare the United States free and independent and drafted a 
        proclamation now known as the ``Mecklenburg Declaration of 
        Independence'';
Whereas the names of the 27 delegates who voted for independence and signed the 
        proclamation were Abraham Alexander, John McNitt Alexander, Ephraim 
        Brevard, Charles Alexander, Hezekiah J. Balch, Zaccheus Wilson, John 
        Phifer, Waightstill Avery, James Harris, Benjamin Patton, William 
        Kennon, Matthew McClure, John Foard, Neill Morrison, Richard Barry, 
        Robert Irwin, Henry Downs, John Flennikin, Ezra Alexander, David Reese, 
        William Graham, John Davidson, John Qureary, Richard Harris, Hezekiah 
        Alexander, Thomas Polk, and Adam Alexander;
Whereas the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence was read by Colonel Thomas 
        Polk from the steps of the Charlotte courthouse to the assembled 
        residents on May 20, 1775; and
Whereas North Carolina honors and respects the bravery of the men and women of 
        Mecklenburg County for issuing the Mecklenburg Declaration of 
        Independence by placing the date May 20, 1775 in a place of honor on its 
        State flag: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) recognizes the 230th anniversary of the Mecklenburg 
        Declaration of Independence, which was the first proclamation 
        issued by American colonists calling for complete separation of 
        the American colonies from the British Crown;
            (2) honors the brave men who signed the Mecklenburg 
        Declaration of Independence and the citizens of Mecklenburg 
        County, North Carolina, for their love of liberty and their 
        stance against tyranny;
            (3) honors the bravery of the five men of Mecklenburg 
        County's Committee of Safety, Thomas Polk, Hezekiah Alexander, 
        John McKnitt Alexander, Ephraim Brevard, and Abraham Alexander, 
        who maintained order and kept citizens informed of the 
        turbulent events taking place during the American Revolution; 
        and
            (4) honors Thomas Polk for his bravery in leading the 
        Mecklenburg militia.
                                 <all>