TITLE: Recognizing July 1 through 4, 2017, as American Family Reunion Days.

SUMMARY: Recognizing July 1 through 4, 2017, as American Family Reunion Days.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The observance of American Family Reunion Days from July 1 to 4, 2017, provides an opportunity to celebrate the timeless values on which our nation was founded; and WHEREAS, In 1776, the Second Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia on July 1 to deliberate over a break from tyranny; the following day, the committee of the whole voted in favor of the Resolution for Independence offered by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia; this document declared "that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved"; and WHEREAS, On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, written largely by Thomas Jefferson, with the assistance of John Adams and Ben Franklin; the famous preamble states: "We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed"; and WHEREAS, Today, citizens continue to treasure the inalienable rights they enjoy as members of the American family, and by marking the anniversary of a tremendous milestone in the history of democracy and of our nation, we reaffirm our centuries-long commitment to freedom; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas Legislature hereby recognize July 1 through 4, 2017, as American Family Reunion Days. Wilson Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 2021 was adopted by the House on May 25, 2017, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House