Reps. Hoogendyk, Baxter, Booher, Casperson, Caswell, Elsenheimer, Gleason, Gonzales, Gosselin, Hansen, Jones, LaJoy, Lemmons, Jr., Marleau, Meyer, Mortimer, Nofs, Palmer, Pastor, Robertson, Rocca, Sak, Shaffer, Stahl, Stakoe, Taub, Vander Veen, Hummel, Lemmons, III and Sheltrown offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 36.

            A resolution recognizing March 16th, 2005, as Liberty Day in the state of Michigan.

Whereas, Each citizen of the United States of America can personally respect the rights and liberties enumerated in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, which includes the Bill of Rights; and

            Whereas, James Madison, with all the strength and courage given to him by his Creator, contributed to the Virginia Plan as a model and basis for a new constitution, further establishing our new form of government and replacing the Articles of Confederation; and

            Whereas, Madison pursued the commonwealth of the United States by writing, in conjunction with John Jay and Alexander Hamilton, articles to various newspapers promoting the new constitution, the Federalists Papers; and

            Whereas, James Madison served in the United States House of Representatives from 1789-1797, during which time he introduced to Congress the Bill of Rights, and was the President of the United States from 1809-1817; and

            Whereas, March 16th, 2005, is the 254th anniversary of the birth of James Madison, the 'Father of the Constitution,' and the official Liberty Day as recognized by the Congress of the United States; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body recognize March 16th, 2005, as Liberty Day in the state of Michigan.