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TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, SO AS TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA BILL OF RIGHTS DAY" BY ADDING SECTION 53-3-166 SO TO ESTABLISH DECEMBER FIFTEENTH OF EACH YEAR AS BILL OF RIGHTS DAY, AND TO ENCOURAGE ALL GOVERNMENTAL BODIES TO OBSERVE THE ANNUAL BILL OF RIGHTS DAY IN A MANNER THAT EMPHASIZES THE DOCUMENT'S MEANING AND IMPORTANCE.
Whereas, the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution are referred to as the Bill of Rights, which limit and define the powers of government; and
Whereas, several of the original states refused to ratify the Constitution without an express Bill of Rights; and
Whereas, the Bill of Rights recognizes, affirms, and protects fundamental human and civil rights for which persons of all races have struggled for thousands of years; and
Whereas, the Bill of Rights secures our freedom to speak, print, read, assemble, pray, petition the government, and keep and bear arms; protects us from unreasonable arrests, searches, excessive bail, double jeopardy, coerced confessions, and cruel and unusual punishment; and secures our rights to due process, jury trials, and counsel, and to present defense witnesses; and
Whereas, the Bill of Rights protects our sovereign State from excesses of the federal government; and
Whereas, the Bill of Rights is integral to the American way of life, and America's civic holidays, President's Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Memorial Day, and Thanksgiving, all remind us of the special contributions and sacrifices made by our forefathers and leaders to preserve, protect, and extend our freedoms; and
Whereas, the Bill of Rights energizes our military defense because American servicemen and women swear an oath to preserve and defend the United States Constitution, which includes the Bill of Rights; when American military personnel fight and die for our country, they do so to protect our rights and freedoms under the Bill of Rights; and
Whereas, a Bill of Rights Day would help prevent the Bill of Rights from being otherwise forgotten, and since many Americans do not know their Bill of Rights, this special day will encourage our schools to instruct children about this aspect of our American heritage; and
Whereas, a Bill of Rights Day would declare America's commitment to fundamental human rights to the whole world; and
Whereas, just as celebrating religious holidays reminds Americans of their religious beliefs and traditions, a Bill of Rights Day annually would remind America of the manner in which its history and philosophy have secured the rights for which oppressed people everywhere still yearn; and
Whereas, a Bill of Rights Day would remind elected and appointed officials and employees of the state and local executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government that their authority and powers are limited; and
Whereas, the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution was ratified on December 15, 1791. Now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Chapter 3, Title 53 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 53-3-166. (A) December fifteenth of each year, the anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution, is declared to be 'Bill of Rights Day' in South Carolina.
(B) All governmental bodies in the State are encouraged to observe the annual Bill of Rights Day in a manner that brings to mind the meaning and importance of each of its ten provisions."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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