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[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 165 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 165

 Commemorating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, 
          the 16th President of the United States of America.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 12, 2009

Mr. Franks of Arizona (for himself and Mr. King of Iowa) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight 
                         and Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
 Commemorating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, 
          the 16th President of the United States of America.

Whereas Abraham Lincoln was born February 12, 1809;
Whereas, due to his leadership, the United States completed the implementation 
        of the promise that was contained in the Declaration of Independence, 
        that all men are created equal, and fulfilled the potential of the 
        Constitution, namely the commitment to equality under the law;
Whereas Lincoln asserted the Dred Scott decision was erroneous and insisted that 
        judges must leave political matters to the people, rather than the whims 
        and preferences of judges;
Whereas Lincoln defeated Steven Douglas and was elected President of the United 
        States in 1860;
Whereas Lincoln believed that a president, even acting as commander-in-chief, 
        must exercise authority not as a dictator, benevolent or otherwise, but 
        within the limits set forth by the Constitution;
Whereas Lincoln defended the maxim that governments derive their just powers 
        from the consent of the governed;
Whereas Lincoln stated on June 17, 1858, ``A house divided against itself cannot 
        stand. I believe this government cannot endure permanently half slave 
        and half free.'';
Whereas, at a time of  profound  national crisis, Abraham Lincoln affirmed  the 
        importance of the Union and esteemed its preservation  as essential to 
        pursuing the noble goals for which it was constituted; namely, the 
        formation of a more perfect union marked by liberty, security  and 
        justice for all;
Whereas, on January 1, 1863, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation; and
Whereas, on October 20, 1864, Lincoln proclaimed, ``the last Thursday in 
        November next as a day which I desire to be observed by all my fellow-
        citizens wherever they may then be as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise 
        to Almighty God the beneficent Creator and Ruler of the Universe'': Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) celebrates the extraordinary life of Abraham Lincoln, 
        and expresses its deep gratitude for his valiant leadership in 
        preserving the Union, defending the natural rights of all 
        individuals, and defending the Declaration of Independence and 
        the Constitution of the United States; and
            (2) recognizes the magnitude of his life's legacy and the 
        impact it has left on the United States of America and the rest 
        of the world.
                                 <all>
```