5174 AMH MCCU MCLA 646

SB 5174 - H AMD 507

By Representative McCune

FAILED 04/04/2011

On page 1, line 6, after "(1)" insert "Article I, section 32 of the Washington State Constitution says:  "A frequent recurrence to fundamental principles is essential to the security of individual right and the perpetuity of free government."  These fundamental principles include the inherent dignity of the individual, the equality of all humankind, and the primacy of liberty. 

    (2) The original and philosophical underpinnings of our foundational civic values as Americans are based on the recognition of self-evident moral truths as articulated in the writings of our nation’s founders and of those who followed them.  These foundational civic values include the basic ideals that all political power is inherent in the people, that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, that governments are established to protect and maintain individual rights, that we are a government of laws rather than the arbitrary will of those in power, and that each individual is equal before the law.

    (3) The civil rights movement presents a significant, contemporary example of humankind’s struggle to assert fundamental moral truths in the face of illegitimate laws and practices of those in power."

    On page 1, at the beginning of line 10, strike "(2)" and insert "(4)"

    On page 1, line 11, after "as" insert "Benjamin Franklin, Richard Bassett, John Quincy Adams, Charles Sumner, Frederick Douglass, Abraham Lincoln,"

    On page 1, at the beginning of line 16, strike "(3)" and insert "(5)"

On page 2, line 8, after "including" strike "providing" and insert ":

    (1) The fundamental principles and philosophical underpinnings of human rights, liberties, and obligations, and the foundational civic values derived from them;

    (2) America’s founding documents and significant milestones that are essential to understanding the character and world view of America’s founders and the proponents of limitations on illegitimate power throughout our past; and

    (3) Providing"

EFFECT:  Adds legislative findings to the intent section that:

·      Fundamental principles referred to in the Washington Constitution include the inherent dignity of the individual, equality of humankind, and primacy of liberty;

·      Foundational civic values of Americans are based on self-evident moral truths, including that all political power is inherent in the people, governments derive their powers from the consent of the governed, governments are established to protect individual rights, we are a government of laws rather than arbitrary will of those in power, and each individual is equal before the law; and

·      The civil rights movement presents a contemporary example of humankind's struggle to assert moral truths in the face of illegitimate laws and practices of those in power. 

Lists additional heroes of the civil rights movement:  Benjamin Franklin, Richard Bassett, John Quincy Adams, Charles Sumner, Frederick Douglass, and Abraham Lincoln.

Adds to the program topics that school districts are encouraged to provide in the commemoration of the history of civil rights:

·      The fundamental principles and philosophical underpinnings of human rights, liberties, and obligations; and

·      America's founding documents and milestones that are essential to understanding the world view of America's founders and proponents of limitations on illegitimate power.

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