PRINTER'S NO. 1602
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
298
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY TEPLITZ, SABATINA, GREENLEAF, EICHELBERGER,
DINNIMAN, RAFFERTY, FONTANA, SCHWANK, VULAKOVICH, HUGHES,
FARNESE, HUTCHINSON, COSTA, RESCHENTHALER AND BROWNE,
MARCH 14, 2016
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, MARCH 14, 2016
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing March 14, 2016, as "Charter Day" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, On March 4, 1681, King Charles II of England granted
William Penn a charter for land in the New World to make up for
a large debt that the king owed to Penn's father; and
WHEREAS, William Penn had initially decided to name the land
"Sylvania," which in Latin means "woods"; and
WHEREAS, King Charles II added the prefix "Penn" to the name
in honor of William Penn's father, Admiral Sir William Penn, who
had served England as a rear admiral and vice admiral of
Ireland, a vice admiral of England, a general in the first Dutch
War and great captain commander under the Duke of York; and
WHEREAS, William Penn wrote a Frame of Government of
Pennsylvania that established a democratic system containing
freedom of religion, fair trials using independent juries,
assemblies consisting of elected representatives of the people
and a separation of powers in the government, all ideas that
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later formed the crux of the Constitution of the United States;
and
WHEREAS, William Penn described Pennsylvania as his "holy
experiment" and from it, he hoped, a nation based on justice
would grow; and
WHEREAS, William Penn's charter exists as the formal
beginning of the colony and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, Through it, William Penn established the first
conscious example of democracy in what would become the United
States of America; and
WHEREAS, Our citizens benefit from learning more about the
overall history of this Commonwealth from its founding until
today and how the principles of governance within the
Commonwealth date back to the beliefs of William Penn; and
WHEREAS, The act of July 28, 1953 (P.L.676, No.210) provides
for the observance of March 14 of each year as "Charter Day" and
urges the people of this Commonwealth, the public schools and
other educational institutions and patriotic, religious,
historical and veterans' organizations to observe on that day
the anniversary of the execution of the Royal Charter by King
Charles II; and
WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission,
the Pennsylvania State Archives and the State Historical Records
Advisory Board each works to inform our residents about the
Commonwealth's heritage, including sponsoring the 17th Annual
"Charter Day" event on Sunday, March 13, 2016, at many
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission historical sites
and properties in this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania has 25 other State historic sites and
museums and numerous other historical organizations that
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continue to operate, largely thanks to the assistance of
volunteers and other groups that have donated their money, time
and other resources so that residents can remain well informed
about the fabric of this Commonwealth's history; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize March 14, 2016, as
"Charter Day" in Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the residents, schools, other educational
institutions and patriotic, religious, historical and veterans'
groups be urged to participate in the "Charter Day" activities
sponsored by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission,
the Pennsylvania State Archives, the State Historical Records
Advisory Board, the 25 other State historic sites and museums or
those offered by any of the many other historical organizations
within this Commonwealth; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the volunteers and other residents who keep
history alive through their support and work for the
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, the Pennsylvania
State Archives, the State Historical Records Advisory Board, the
25 other State historic sites and museums or through the
numerous other historical organizations within this Commonwealth
be honored for their efforts.
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