MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Hewes, Gollott, Woodfield, Moffatt

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE DECLARATION OF ARBROATH, THE SCOTTISH DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.

WHEREAS, April 6 has a special significance for all Americans, and especially those Americans of Scottish descent, because the Declaration of Arbroath, the Scottish Declaration of Independence, was signed on April 6, 1320, and the American Declaration of Independence was modeled on that inspirational document; and

WHEREAS, the Declaration of Arbroath, the Scottish Declaration of Independence in 1320, contains the lines "For we fight not for glory, nor riches, nor honors, but for freedom alone, which no man gives up except with his life," daring words that will not lie quiet and will never be forgotten; and

WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi possesses a rich history filled with the character and strength of a truly diverse population, including many Scots and Scots-Irish; and

WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi has 38 towns and cities with names appearing on the map of Scotland and 67 towns, cities, and counties with the names of Scottish families who came to America; and

WHEREAS, this resolution honors the major role that Scottish Americans played in the founding of this nation, such as the fact that almost half of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were of Scottish descent, the Governors in 9 of the original 13 states were of Scottish ancestry, and Scottish Americans successfully helped shape this country in its formative years and guided this nation through its most troubled times; and

WHEREAS, this resolution recognizes the monumental achievements and invaluable contributions made by Scottish Americans that have led to America's preeminence in the fields of science, technology, medicine, government, politics, economics, architecture, literature, media and visual and performing arts; and

WHEREAS, this resolution commends the more than 200 organizations throughout the United States that honor Scottish heritage, tradition and culture, representing the hundreds of thousands of Americans of Scottish descent, residing in every state, who already have made the observance of Tartan Day on April 6 a success:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commemorate the anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath, the Scottish Declaration of Independence.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be furnished to the Capitol Press Corps.