Recognizing May 1, 2000 as Law Day 2000 and the week of May 1, 2000 to May 6, 2000 as Law Week in the City of Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, Law Day programs assist the expansion of people's awareness of our heritage of liberty under law and help them appreciate how the rule of law makes our democracy possible; and

WHEREAS, Law Day and Law Week will foster an appreciation for how the law contributes to the blessing of liberty we have experienced and how essential law is to the challenges we face; and

WHEREAS, The overall theme is "Celebrate Your Freedom," and the many excellent programs emphasize how speaking up for democracy and diversity strengthens our country; and

WHEREAS, America's commitment to inclusion has helped us grow from a struggling nation on the world's frontier to the world's great power. We've welcomed people from all over the globe, and their religions and cultural heritage have added to the rich tapestry that is the American experience; and

WHEREAS, The law has helped foster and further this heritage evidenced by the fact that hundreds of our laws extend the promise of America to all persons in the courts, on the job, and in our schools; and

WHEREAS, May 1 is the official date of Law Day which is the beginning of Law Week as the American Bar Association (ABA) is joined by national organizations, state and local bars, businesses, and schools, in conducting thousands of programs on the rule of law in a constitutional democracy; and

WHEREAS, One of the goals of Law Day 2000 is to urge all Americans to let their voices be heard, whether through the vote or by other means, as we continue to protect -- and perfect -- the rights and responsibilities of a diverse society under law; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby recognize May 1, 2000 as Law Day 2000 and the week of May 1, 2000 to May 6, 2000 as Law Week in the City of Philadelphia.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Philadelphia Bar Association as evidence of this legislative body's sincere commitment to the promotion of the principles that Law Day 2000 and Law Week seek to foster.

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