A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT Designating liberty day in the state of north carolina.
Whereas, Liberty Day is a nonpartisan celebration to commemorate the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution; and
Whereas, Liberty Day is celebrated throughout the United States on March 16th, the birthday of James Madison, who served as President of the United States from 1809 until 1817; and
Whereas, James Madison was a contributing author of the Virginia Plan, the model and basis for the United States Constitution that emerged from the Constitutional Convention of 1787; and
Whereas, James Madison along with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay wrote many of the newspaper articles that outlined the reasons the states should endorse the new constitution; and
Whereas, these articles became known as the Federalist Papers and still stand as some of the best arguments for our form of government, a representative republic; and
Whereas, James Madison served in the United States House of Representatives from 1789 until 1797, during which time he introduced the Bill of Rights which was ratified by the states in 1791; and
Whereas, all citizens should be aware of the significance and content of both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution in order that voters might appreciate the incredible rights and responsibilities to be found in those documents; and
Whereas, approximately 25 states have passed legislation designating Liberty Day; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Chapter 103 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 103‑11.  Liberty Day.
The sixteenth day of March of each year is designated as Liberty Day in North Carolina."
SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.