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MICHAEL F. EASLEY
GOVERNOR
LIBERTY D,A Y
2006
BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
A PROCLAM_ATION
WHEREAS, the rights and liberties that we as Americans enjoy are guaranteed by the documents that
our Founding Fathers created: The Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution with its Bill
of Rights; and
WHEREAS, Thursday, March 16,2006, marks the 255th anniversary of the birth of James Madison, the
"Father of the Constitution"; and
WHEREAS, James Madison was a CO!)tributing author of the Virginia Plan, which was the model and
basis of discussion for forming our nation's Constitution during the Constitutional Convention of 1787; and
WHEREAS, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay kept written records of the debates in
the Federal Convention of 1787, and these records became known as the Federalist Papers; and
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WHEREAS, the Federalist Papers continue to, be considered some of the best arguments for our nation's
form of government;. and
WHEREAS, during his service in the United States House-of Representatives from 1789 to 1797, James
Madison. in trOduced the Bill of Rights .to Congress; and .
WHEREAS, James Madison .served. a s Secretary of State of the United States from 18.01 to 1.8 09, and
was President of the United States from 1809to 1817; and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate to set aside a day to honor James Madison for the role be played in
providing Americans with the liberties that we continue to hold tiear today;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, MICHAEL F. EASLEY, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby
proclaim March 16,2006, as'."LIBERTY DAY" in Nort!J' Carolina, and commend this observance to all our
citizens.
MICHAEL F. EASLEY
!·have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North
this twelfth .day of December in the year of our Lord two thousand and five,
the United States of America the two hundred and thirtieth.
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