Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                            SR 68
 Office of Senate Floor Analyses
 (916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478
                                 THIRD READING
Bill No:      SR 68
Author:       Seyarto (R)
Introduced:   2/15/24
Vote:         Majority
SUBJECT: Constitution Week
SOURCE: Author
DIGEST: This resolution recognizes the week of September 17, 2024, to
September 23, 2024, inclusive, as Constitution Week to commemorate the
Constitution of the United States and to urge all Californians to reflect on its
importance to our nation.
ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:
1) September 17, 2024, will mark the 237th anniversary of the framing of the
   Constitution of the United States of America at the Constitutional Convention.
2) To honor the timeless principles enshrined in our Constitution, the Congress
   has, by joint resolution of February 29, 1952, (36 U.S.C. 106), designated
   September 17 as “Constitution Day and Citizenship Day”.
3) By joint resolution of August 2, 1956, (36 U.S.C. 108), the Congress further
   requested that the President proclaim the week beginning September 17 and
   ending September 23 of each year as “Constitution Week”.
4) It is appropriate and fitting that Californians commemorate the historical
   contributions that the United States Constitution has made to citizens and its
   significance in preserving the individual freedoms, liberties, and common
   welfare of the people who live in the United States.
5) The United States Constitution was written in the same Pennsylvania State
   House where the Declaration of Independence was signed, and where George
   Washington received his commission as Commander in Chief of the
   Continental Army.
                                                                              SR 68
                                                                             Page 2
6) The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was called to revise the Articles of
   Confederation, which failed to vest the federal government with the necessary
   powers to ensure the physical and financial security of the new nation.
7) The delegates to the convention fiercely deliberated for 100 days with only 10
   days of rest.
8) Despite the geographic, economic, and cultural differences that threatened to
   divide the United States in its infancy, the framers came to many compromises
   through open and civil discourse to secure and establish the country as we
   know it today.
9) The framers of the United States Constitution were especially concerned with
   limiting the power of government and securing the liberty of citizens through
   the doctrines of the separation of powers, checks and balances, and explicit
   guarantees of individual liberty.
10) Section 4 of Article IV of the United States Constitution protects popular
    sovereignty for all Americans by guaranteeing a Republican form of
    government in each state.
11) The spirit of the United States Constitution is one of humility. The framers had
    the foresight to recognize their own human fallibility and provided the
    mechanism to amend and correct the shortcomings of our original United
    States Constitution.
12) Americans have continued to pursue a more perfect union as abolitionists,
    suffragists, and civil rights activists, and have successfully amended the United
    States Constitution to strengthen the protections provided to all Americans
    under the law. In so doing, they render the moral resolve of our nation stronger
    and clearer.
13) Californians join their fellow Americans across all states on this day in
    remembrance of the nation’s founding ideals and seeking unity as one nation
    under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
14) The original United States Constitution is on display at the National Archives
    in Washington, D.C.
15) The National Constitution Center offers extensive virtual and in-person
    programming supported by educational materials for learners of all ages’.
                                                                               SR 68
                                                                              Page 3
This resolution recognizes the week of September 17, 2024, to September 23,
2024, inclusive, as Constitution Week to commemorate the Constitution of the
United States and to urge all Californians to reflect on its importance to our nation.
Comments
According to the author:
      September 17th is Constitution Day in the United States and it provides an
      opportunity to reflect on our founding principles and future aspirations as a
      nation. The Constitution embodies a commitment to equal rights, liberties
      and the rule of law. This commitment served as a trailblazer for many
      peoples around the world and reminds us fundamentally what it means to be
      an American. It is fitting that we as Californians recognize this week
      alongside the rest of our fellow Americans.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No              Fiscal Com.:    No     Local: No
SUPPORT: (Verified 2/26/24)
None received
OPPOSITION: (Verified 2/26/24)
None received
Prepared by: Russell Manning / SFA / (916) 651-1520
2/28/24 12:45:22
                                  **** END ****