WHEREAS, the current Constitution of the State of Delaware, adopted in Convention on June 4, 1897, became effective on June 10, 1897 and was the product of a distinguished group of representatives from throughout the State who labored for more than six months to craft a document to meet the needs of their contemporaries, as well as those of future generations of Delawareans; and
WHEREAS, this sacred document, is the fourth such constitution written in Delaware's history and builds upon the strong foundation laid by the Constitutions of 1776, 1792 and 1831, all of which were similarly written by constitutional conventions; and
WHEREAS, in the same manner that the Constitution of the United States provides a broad outline of law for our nation, so too does the Constitution of 1897 provide a basic and necessary framework for the laws of our State; and
WHEREAS, the Constitution of 1897 commences with a preamble which recognizes that all authority flows from the people and continues with the elucidation of seventeen separate articles which guarantee basic substantive and procedural rights for the individual and vest the powers and responsibilities of Delaware's legislative, executive and judicial branches of government; and
WHEREAS, the Constitution of 1897 has stood the test of time, its basic soundness proven and the wisdom of its framers illustrated time and again, as its provisions have been applied in the halls of our government and the courts of our State; and
WHEREAS, we gather today, not in praise of a dusty, archaic relic but, in celebration of a vital, living document that has been amended, as necessary, through the ten decades since its adoption to better address the interests of Delaware's citizens and their government.
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 139th General Assembly, the House of Representatives concurring therein, with the approval of the Governor, that Tuesday, June 10, 1997 is hereby recognized as the date of the Centennial Celebration for the Delaware Constitution of 1897; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all Delawareans are invited to join in this celebration and urged to reflect on the many blessings of liberty that are secured by this important document; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Centennial Celebration Planning Committee under the leadership of the Honorable Randy J. Holland, Justice of the Supreme Court of Delaware and comprised of representatives from the Delaware Heritage Commission, the Delaware State Bar Association, Delaware Public Archives, and Legislative Council is hereby commended for the planning and execution of this Centennial Celebration for the Delaware Constitution of 1897.