[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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