Pennsylvania Act 2001-102 — BILL OF RIGHTS DAY - DESIGNATION

Act text

BILL OF RIGHTS DAY - DESIGNATION
                 Act of Dec. 17, 2001, P.L. 909, No. 102              Cl. 38
                                  AN ACT

     Designating December 15 of each year as "Bill of Rights Day."

        WHEREAS, On December 15, 1791, the Bill of Rights was
     ratified by three-fourths of the states, making the Bill of
     Rights the first ten amendments to the Constitution of the
     United States of America; and
        WHEREAS, The Bill of Rights specifies the basic rights that
     all Americans hold so dear:
                                ARTICLE I
        Freedom of Religion, Speech and Press. Right of Petition.
     Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of
     religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging
     the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the
     people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for
     a redress of grievances.
                                ARTICLE II
        Right of People to Bear Arms. A well regulated Militia, being
     necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the
     people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
                               ARTICLE III
        Quartering of Troops. No Soldier shall, in time of peace be
     quartered in any house, without consent of the Owner, nor in
     time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
                                ARTICLE IV
        Persons and Houses to be Secure From Unreasonable Searches
     and Seizures. The right of the people to be secure in their
     persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable
     searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants
     shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or
     affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be
     searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
                                ARTICLE V
        Trials for Crimes. Compensation for Private Property Taken
     for Public Use. No person shall be held to answer for a capital,
     or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or
     indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land
     or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in
     time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject
     for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or
     limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a
     witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or
     property, without due process of law; nor shall private property
     be taken for public use, without just compensation.
                                ARTICLE VI
        Rights of Accused Persons in Criminal Prosecutions. In all
     criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a
     speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and
     district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which
     district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to
     be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be
     confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory
     process for obtaining Witnesses in his favor, and to have the
     Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
                               ARTICLE VII
        Rights in Civil Suits. In Suits at common law, where the
     value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of
     trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury,
     shall be otherwise reexamined in any Court of the United States,
     than according to the rules of the common law.
                               ARTICLE VIII
        Excessive Bail, Fines and Punishments Prohibited. Excessive
     bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor
     cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
                                ARTICLE IX
        Reserved Rights of People. The enumeration in the
     Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny
     or disparage others retained by the people.
                                ARTICLE X
        Powers not Delegated, Reserved to States and People. The
     powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution,
     nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States
     respectively, or to the people;
     and
        WHEREAS, Pennsylvania, the birthplace of the Constitution of
     the United States, was the eighth state to ratify the Bill of
     Rights.

        The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
     hereby enacts as follows:

     Section 1.  Bill of Rights Day.
        In recognition of the Bill of Rights, the first ten
     amendments to the Constitution of the United States of America,
     which was ratified on December 15, 1791, December 15 of each
     year is hereby designated as "Bill of Rights Day." The Governor
     is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation each year
     recognizing the significance of the Bill of Rights in our lives
     and calling upon the people of this Commonwealth to commemorate
     the day with appropriate ceremonies and educational activities.
     Section 2.  Effective date.
        This act shall take effect immediately.