[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15269]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 272--COMMEMORATING THE 230TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 
            SIGNING OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES

  Mr. CRUZ (for himself and Mr. Blumenthal) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 272

       Whereas, on September 17, 1787, the Constitution of the 
     United States was signed by 39 delegates from 12 States;
       Whereas the Constitution of the United States was 
     subsequently ratified by each of the original 13 States;
       Whereas James Madison and the other delegates drafted the 
     Constitution of the United States ``in Order to form a more 
     perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic 
     Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the 
     general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty'' for 
     the people of the United States;
       Whereas the Constitution of the United States has provided 
     the means and structure for the United States and the people 
     of the United States to achieve a level of prosperity, 
     liberty, security, and justice that is unparalleled among 
     nations;
       Whereas the contributions of the Constitution of the United 
     States to the welfare of individuals reach far beyond the 
     borders of the United States;
       Whereas the Constitution of the United States--
       (1) was the first permanent constitution in the world 
     adopted by elected representatives;
       (2) includes seminal ideas about individual rights, the 
     separation of powers, and the rule of law; and
       Whereas the Constitution of the United States has been 
     amended 27 times since its adoption and includes amendments 
     that reflect the will of the people of the United States ``to 
     form a more perfect Union'', such as amendments to recognize 
     and protect individual rights, eliminate slavery, and expand 
     the franchise;
       Whereas the Senate continues to strive to preserve and 
     strengthen the values and rights bestowed on the United 
     States and the people of the United States by the 
     Constitution of the United States; and
       Whereas the preservation in the hearts and minds of the 
     people of the United States of the values and rights 
     expressed in the Constitution of the United States would be 
     advanced by an official recognition on September 17, 2017, of 
     the 230th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution of 
     the United States: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) on September 17, 2017, commemorates the 230th 
     anniversary of the signing of the Constitution of the United 
     States; and
       (2) calls on the people of the United States to observe the 
     day with appropriate ceremonies and respect, including by 
     reading the Constitution of the United States and reflecting 
     on the enduring structure of government built by the Founders 
     and successive generations of people of the United States.

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