ESTABLISH MAY 1 AS FREEDOM DAY
House Bill 5789
Sponsor: Rep. Leon Drolet
Committee: House Oversight and Operations
Complete to 4-25-02
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5789 AS INTRODUCED 3-12-02
The bill would establish May 1 as "Freedom Day". In designating the day, the bill says:
The legislature recognizes the twentieth century to have been a period in which communist nations and their allies advanced their ideology on 5 continents by way of subjugating innocent billions and murdering tens of millions. The legislature further recognizes that these totalitarian regimes have traditionally designated May day as a holiday that celebrates their ideology and crimes against human liberty. It is the desire of the legislature to establish a day to commemorate the triumph of individual liberty over tyranny, to memorialize the victims of collectivist tyranny, and to celebrate the heroes who sacrificed of themselves in this noble struggle. To this end, the legislature reclaims and establishes May 1 as freedom day.
The bill also says that the legislature encourages individuals, educational institutions, and social, community, religious, labor, and business organizations to pause on Freedom Day and reflect upon the significance of those who suffered under communist oppression, and to honor the heroism of the citizens and soldiers who sacrificed of themselves to reclaim and defend the right of all humanity to live in freedom.
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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.