Recognizing 233rd Anniversary of Ratification of Bill of Rights

Floor Speech

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Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 233rd anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights.

Yesterday, we celebrated Bill of Rights Day, a day that highlights a cornerstone for our democracy.

Bill of Rights Day was established in 1941, when President Franklin Delano Roosevelt issued a proclamation referring to the document as: ``The great American charter of personal liberty and human dignity.''

Each year, on December 15, this day is used as an opportunity to reflect on the rights enshrined in our Constitution's first 10 amendments. Classrooms across the Nation use this day as an educational opportunity to further stress the importance of these rights to our Nation's young people.

The Bill of Rights was born out of a fierce debate between the Federalists and the anti-Federalists during the founding of our Republic. The Constitution itself laid the foundation for governance, but it was the Bill of Rights that ensured that government would always serve the people.

The Bill of Rights includes some of our Nation's most precious rights, including: freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly, petition, equal protection under the law, and limitations on the role of the Federal Government, just to name a few.

The Bill of Rights also reminds us of something deeper. Our unity as a Nation stems from our diversity of thought, belief, and expression. We may not always agree, but these rights ensure that every voice can be heard, every faith can be practiced, and every dream can be pursued.

This year marked the 233rd anniversary since the ratification of the Bill of Rights. Now, many years later, these rights are just as important as they were when our Founding Fathers penned them.

Let us honor the wisdom of our Founders and the sacrifices of countless Americans who have fought to uphold these freedoms.

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