Executive Order

Executive Order  No. 307: Establishing the Massachusetts Advisory Commission to commemorate the bicentennial of the Bill of Rights

Date: 04/10/1991
Issuer: William F. Weld
Mass Register: No. 659
Superseding: Executive Order 260
Revoked by: Executive Order 383

Table of Contents

(SUPERSEDING EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 260)

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts played a vital historical role in the development of our Federal Constitution and the Bill of Rights; and

WHEREAS, in the fall and winter of 1786, the citizens of western Massachusetts, in what is known as "Shays' Rebellion", rebelled against oppressive judicial and legislative institutions and sparked the formation of the Constitutional convention; and

WHEREAS, on September 17, 1787, the leaders of Massachusetts approved the proposed constitution at the Philadelphia Constitutional Convention; and

WHEREAS, the Constitution of the United States was modeled in part on the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, created in 1780 by John Adams; and

WHEREAS, on February 6, 1788, Massachusetts delegates ratified the United States Constitution; and

WHEREAS, these inspiring efforts of two hundred years ago were only the beginning of a continued effort by the people of Massachusetts to develop a more secure union; and

WHEREAS, the upcoming period of bicentennial commemoration of the united States Bill of Rights provides an opportunity for citizens in Massachusetts to review and appreciate anew the principles of the American constitutional system;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, William F. Weld, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, by virtue of the authority vested in me as supreme executive magistrate, do hereby order the following:

1. There is hereby established a Massachusetts Advisory Commission to Commemorate the Bicentennial of the Bill of Rights. Members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Governor and shall include historians, scholars, members of the bar, representatives of the legislation and representatives of the community at large.

2. The purpose of the Commission shall be to ensure that the Commonwealth's commemoration of the Bicentennial of the Bill of Rights is a proud celebration and an education for school children and adults across the state. To that end, the Commission shall recommend appropriate activities to engender greater knowledge and understanding of the Bill of Rights as a living document, with particular emphasis on how it affects each of us in our daily life.

Given in the Executive Chamber in Boston this 10th day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and ninety-one.

William F. Weld, Governor

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Michael Joseph Connolly

Secretary of the Commonwealth

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