Delaware General Assembly


CHAPTER 539

STATE OF DELAWARE

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

PROCLAMATION

Whereas, our Federal Constitution has its roots in the very earliest struggles of the American people for liberty; and

Whereas, the wisdom and foresight of our founding fathers has provided a strong, yet flexible, foundation on which this great Nation has grown and prospered; and

Whereas, Richard Bassett, Gunning Bedford, Jr., Jacob Broom, John Dickinson and George Read represented Delaware at the Federal Constitutional Convention which drafted our basic charter of national sovereignty; and

Whereas, following the adoption of this Constitution by the Convention on September 17, 1787, this document was submitted to each of the thirteen colonies for their approval; and

Whereas, recognizing the need for a strong, stable central government, ten delegates from each of Delaware's three counties unanimously ratified the Constitution on December 7, 1787, at a special convention in Dover, thereby making Delaware the first of the original thirteen states to do so; and

Whereas, in 1939, the General Assembly of the State of Delaware officially designated each December 7th as "Delaware Day" in commemoration of this historic event; and

Whereas, on this December 7th, the State of Delaware will observe the 181st anniversary of this brave and foresighted action which has given our State its proud title of "The First State."

Now, therefore, I, Charles L. Terry, Jr., Governor of the. State of Delaware, do hereby proclaim Saturday, December 7, 1968 as

DELAWARE DAY

and urge all schools, churches, civic and fraternal organizations to participate in appropriate observances of this significant event. I further urge that, in these troubled times, all citizens of "The First State" reflect upon the need to keep alive the aspirations of the men who planned this heritage which is ours.

Further, I direct that, on this day, our national and state flags be flown from all public buildings, and I urge all our citizens to join in this display of our colors.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, Charles L. Terry, Jr., Governor of the State of Delaware, have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the said State to be hereunto affixed at Dover this 27th day of November in the year of our Lord, one thousand nine hundred and sixty-eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the one hundred and ninety-third.

(GREAT SEAL)

CHARLES L. TERRY, JR., Governor

Attest: ELISHA C. DUKES, Secretary of State