PRIOR PASSAGE - NONE
PRINTER'S NO. 312
No. 260 Session of 1997
INTRODUCED BY GERLACH, STOUT AND O'PAKE, JANUARY 31, 1997
REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, JANUARY 31, 1997
A JOINT RESOLUTION
1 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth
2 of Pennsylvania, providing for a declaration of citizen
3 responsibilities.
4 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
5 hereby resolves as follows:
6 Section 1. The following amendment to the Constitution of
7 Pennsylvania is proposed in accordance with Article XI:
8 That Article I be amended by adding a section to read:
9 § 29. Declaration of Citizen Responsibilities.
10 In solemn recognition that the rights secured and ordained
11 under this Constitution can only be preserved, protected and
12 conveyed by a fulfillment of the responsibilities of a free and
13 sovereign people, we, the citizens of this Commonwealth do here
14 resolve to declare, pledge and forever perpetuate this
15 declaration of citizen responsibilities. The citizens of this
16 Commonwealth have the responsibility:
17 1. To register to vote, to become knowledgeable on public
18 issues and participate in the electoral process.
1 2. To understand the basic structure, duties and separation
2 of powers of Federal, State and local government.
3 3. To respect and abide by the laws of this Commonwealth and
4 the United States of America.
5 4. To exercise all constitutional rights in a peaceful and
6 lawful manner.
7 5. To respect other persons and their property.
8 6. To assist others in need in time of crisis or emergency.
9 7. To fully support one's family and provide for the health,
10 security and education of any children to the best of one's
11 ability.
12 8. To be involved in and participate in the betterment of
13 the community, this Commonwealth and nation through civic,
14 educational, charitable, cultural, recreational and religious
15 activity.
16 Section 2. (a) Upon the first passage by the General
17 Assembly of this proposed constitutional amendment, the
18 Secretary of the Commonwealth shall proceed immediately to
19 comply with the advertising requirements of section 1 of Article
20 XI of the Constitution of Pennsylvania and shall transmit the
21 required advertisements to two newspapers in every county in
22 which such newspapers are published in sufficient time after
23 passage of this proposed constitutional amendment.
24 (b) Upon the second passage by the General Assembly of this
25 proposed constitutional amendment, the Secretary of the
26 Commonwealth shall proceed immediately to comply with the
27 advertising requirements of section 1 of Article XI of the
28 Constitution of Pennsylvania and shall transmit the required
29 advertisements to two newspapers in every county in which such
30 newspapers are published in sufficient time after passage of
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1 this proposed constitutional amendment. The Secretary of the
2 Commonwealth shall submit this proposed constitutional amendment
3 to the qualified electors of this Commonwealth at the first
4 primary, general or municipal election occurring at least three
5 months after the proposed constitutional amendment is passed by
6 the General Assembly which meets the requirements of and is in
7 conformance with section 1 of Article XI of the Constitution of
8 Pennsylvania.
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