[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 144 (Thursday, September 7, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4272-S4273]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 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

  Mr. DURBIN (for himself and Mr. Grassley) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 333

       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.'';

[[Page S4273]]

       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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