PRINTER'S NO. 2720
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
608
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY TOEPEL, HAHN, MAKO, BAKER, BIZZARRO, BOBACK,
BRADFORD, CHARLTON, CONKLIN, CORBIN, CORR, D. COSTA, SCHLEGEL
CULVER, DALEY, DiGIROLAMO, DUSH, EVERETT, GROVE, HEFFLEY,
HENNESSEY, PHILLIPS-HILL, JAMES, JOZWIAK, KINSEY, KORTZ,
LONGIETTI, MARSICO, MILLARD, B. MILLER, NEILSON, PASHINSKI,
PICKETT, PYLE, RADER, READSHAW, RYAN, SAYLOR, SCHLOSSBERG,
SONNEY, STEPHENS, TOOHIL, WARD AND MATZIE, NOVEMBER 17, 2017
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
NOVEMBER 17, 2017
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing December 7, 2017, as "Great Law Day" in
Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, William Penn prepared and supervised the creation of
a series of statutes for Pennsylvania which became known as the
"Great Law"; and
WHEREAS, Soon after his arrival in Pennsylvania in October
1682, William Penn called for a legislature to meet; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania's first legislature met in what is now
Chester from December 4 through 7, 1682; and
WHEREAS, The legislature concluded reviewing and passing the
series of statutes which became known as the "Great Law" on
December 7, 1682; and
WHEREAS, This action effectively set in motion the enduring
principle of representative government for the residents of
Pennsylvania, which has flourished under Pennsylvania's
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subsequent frames, charters and constitutions; and
WHEREAS, The "Great Law" enshrined many vital freedoms for
Pennsylvanians, particularly religious liberty and freedom of
worship; and
WHEREAS, These statutes also established the foundation of a
stable government in Pennsylvania by providing for the
maintenance of records, establishment of courts, conduct of
trials, prevention of election fraud and control of taxation;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize
December 7, 2017, as "Great Law Day" in Pennsylvania in
commemoration of these historic actions of the first legislature
of Pennsylvania.
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