Pennsylvania SR 308: A Resolution recognizing the week of February 2 through 8, 2020, as "National Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda Week" in Pennsylvania.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 1687
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No. 308
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY TARTAGLIONE, HUGHES, A. WILLIAMS, HAYWOOD, STREET,
SAVAL AND PICOZZI, MAY 4, 2026
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, MAY 4, 2026
A RESOLUTION
Celebrating the City of Philadelphia upon the momentous occasion
of the United States semiquincentennial and commemorating the
convening of a ceremonial meeting of the Pennsylvania Senate
at the National Constitution Center.
WHEREAS, Two hundred fifty years ago the roots of our
national heritage were established in the City of Philadelphia,
America's "most historical city"; and
WHEREAS, In 2026, America celebrates its semiquincentennial,
the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of
Independence and the beginning of American democracy; and
WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia is commemorating this
historic milestone with numerous events and celebrations
throughout the year; and
WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia has borne witness to the
birth of the United States of America; and
WHEREAS, The First Continental Congress was convened in
Philadelphia in 1774, where it denounced "taxation without
representation,"; and
WHEREAS, On June 7, 1776, Congress, meeting in Philadelphia,
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received a resolution from Richard Henry Lee urging Congress to
declare independence from Britain; and
WHEREAS, Congress appointed Thomas Jefferson, John Adams,
Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert R. Livingston to the
"Committee of Five" on June 11, 1776, to draft a declaration of
independence for the colonies; and
WHEREAS, From June 12 through 27, 1776, Thomas Jefferson
drafted the original rough draft of the Declaration of
Independence, which was read in Congress on June 28, 1776; and
WHEREAS, The Graff House or Declaration House, the
Philadelphia landmark where Jefferson rented rooms while working
on the original rough draft, is located at 700 Market Street and
features a museum about the drafting of the Declaration of
Independence; and
WHEREAS, From July 1 through 4, 1776, Congress debated and
revised the Declaration of Independence at Independence Hall,
and finally signed the document on the morning of July 4, 1776,
to formally sever political ties between the 13 American
colonies and Great Britain, unite the colonies and announce
their sovereignty and gain support from foreign nations,
particularly France; and
WHEREAS, The delegates from Pennsylvania who signed the
Declaration of Independence were George Clymer, Benjamin
Franklin, Robert Morris, John Morton, George Ross, Benjamin
Rush, James Smith, George Taylor and James Wilson; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Morton broke the tie in the Pennsylvania
delegation, ensuring Pennsylvania voted for the Declaration of
Independence; and
WHEREAS, The Declaration of Independence was not intended to
be a legal framework for government, which was later done by the
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Constitution of the United States, but rather a declaration of
intent to break away and a justification for doing so; and
WHEREAS, After passage of the Declaration of Independence,
copies were distributed to neighboring states, and on July 6,
the Pennsylvania Evening Post, located in Philadelphia, printed
the first newspaper rendition of the declaration; and
WHEREAS, The first public reading of the Declaration of
Independence occurred in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776, at noon,
when Colonel John Nixon read the document to a crowd of roughly
2,000 people in the State House Yard, which is now Independence
Square; and
WHEREAS, Through 2026, Philadelphia will celebrate the legacy
of being "first" - first in freedom, first in innovation and
first in celebration - with 52 Weeks of Firsts, a yearlong,
citywide series of events highlighting the groundbreaking ideas,
inventions and milestones that began in Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Produced by the Philadelphia Historic District 250th
Committee, the celebration shines a spotlight on dozens of
Philadelphia-born "firsts," some famous, others surprising even
to lifelong Philly fans; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia will also host Wawa Welcomes America, a
16-day festival running from Juneteenth to July 4, 2026, which
concludes with a headlining concert on the Benjamin Franklin
Parkway and fireworks; and
WHEREAS, The Historic District is hosting Red, White & Blue
To-Do on July 2 featuring a parade and block party that includes
concerts, games, extended hours at historic attractions and
restaurant happy hour specials; and
WHEREAS, On May 5, 2026, the Pennsylvania Senate will visit
Philadelphia to convene for a ceremonial meeting at the National
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Constitution Center; and
WHEREAS, As part of a long-standing tradition of honoring key
milestones in American history, members of the Senate convened a
ceremonial gathe