[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 62 (Thursday, April 11, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E334]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       CELEBRATING THE 248TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HALIFAX RESOLVES

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                          HON. DONALD G. DAVIS

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 11, 2024

  Mr. DAVIS of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize history 
and a momentous occasion that shaped the very fabric of our Nation. Two 
hundred and forty-eight years ago, on April 12, 1776, in the 
politically eminent town of Halifax, North Carolina, a gathering of 
visionary leaders took an audacious step toward freedom and self-
determination.
  Imagine the scene: 83 delegates assembled, their hearts filled with 
determination and their minds resolute in purpose. These courageous 
men, representing the people of North Carolina, dared to challenge the 
oppressive grip of tyranny imposed by the King of England. In bold 
defiance, they authorized their delegates to the Continental Congress 
to vote for independence. But it was more than just a vote; it was an 
affirmation of our unyielding resolve to break free from the chains of 
colonial subjugation.
  The Halifax Resolves were not merely a symbolic gesture but a beacon 
of hope for all who yearned for liberty and justice. The words echoed 
the sentiments of a nation yearning to breathe free. They laid bare the 
injustices inflicted upon a young country by a distant monarch and 
enumerated the usurpations and acts of violence perpetrated against the 
people and land.
  However, the significance of the Halifax Resolves extends far beyond 
the borders of North Carolina. It catalyzed the cause of independence, 
igniting a flame of rebellion that spread like wildfire throughout the 
colonies. Inspired by the courage and determination of our forebears, 
other colonies followed suit, echoing the call for freedom and self-
governance.
  The Halifax Resolves were not crafted in isolation. They culminated a 
year of vigorous discussions and deliberations at the grassroots level, 
reflecting the will of the people who had long suffered under British 
oppression. The legacy of the Halifax Resolves endures to this day, a 
testament to the indomitable spirit of the American people. It reminds 
us that sometimes freedom is earned through sacrifice, perseverance, 
and unwavering dedication to the principles of liberty and justice for 
all.
  As the community commemorates the 248th anniversary of this historic 
event, let us not only celebrate the bravery and foresight of those who 
came before us but also reaffirm our commitment to upholding the ideals 
enshrined in the Halifax Resolves. May we always cherish the precious 
gift of freedom and never forget the sacrifices made by those who dared 
to defy tyranny.
  In the words of the Resolves, let us remember one of the first calls 
for American freedom: ``Resolved that the delegates for this Colony in 
the Continental Congress be impowered to concur with the delegates of 
the other Colonies in declaring Independency . . .''
  I look forward to the next two years of events and preparations for 
what I know will be the magnificent Semiquincentennial in 2026. Happy 
anniversary to the Halifax Resolves.

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