|
Join SACFLA
| |
Bill
of Rights Day
The constitution committee of
Florida began as a result of a presentation on October 19, 1997 to the
Republican Party of Palm Beach County by Lee Coleman, who proposed a committee
to work to make December 15th, Bill of Rights Day in Florida. He pointed to the
fact that very few students are aware of the meaning of our country's founding
documents and that hardly any of the huge numbers of immigrants who are now
citizens have any idea of the basis of our freedoms. A Bill of Rights Day
officially observed annually would bring needed attention to our heritage of
freedom.
The committee was originally formed as part of the REC but shortly the members
realized that this had to be a bipartisan effort if it was to succeed with the
legislature. The committee left the REC to become an ad hoc committee to work
with all parties to help preserve knowledge of and appreciation for the
protections the Bill of Rights guarantees all citizens. Hundreds of people of
all parties signed on as "endorsers" of the goals of the committee that by this
time had expanded to petition the legislature to increase the amount of time
allocated in the schools for teaching the Bill of Rights, the constitutions of
the US and Florida, and the other major documents of the Republic. Mr. Coleman
became the chairman.
Several lawmakers signed on and helped get the bills introduced. Bill of Rights
Day (HB9011) was filed by Rep. Bill Andrews and was passed unanimously on April
12, 2000. Sen. Jim King introduced Bill of Rights Resolution (SR1968) in the
Senate. Rep. Ken Pruitt filed the bill (HB0341) amending current law relating to
require instruction in public schools to increase the time spent teaching
historical documents.
Lee Coleman was the Law Day, May 1, 2000, recipient of the Palm Beach County
Liberty Bell Award, presented annually by the Palm Beach County Bar Association.
He has a long history of civic activities on behalf of taxpayers, education, the
Second Amendment, (which led to his interest in the whole Bill of Rights), and
property rights. He is now retired and dedicated to leaving his beloved country
better than he found it. He served in the Airborne Troop carrier command during
WWII.
|
