STATE OF NEW YORK 
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER 
Proclamation

Whereas, the citizens of the Empire State are instilled with a great sense of patriotism and therefore are proud to recognize and commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, when at 2 o’clock in the afternoon, the tolling of the Liberty Bell at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania hailed the official approval of this major document which decreed the Thirteen Colonies in North America to be “Free and Independent States”; and

Whereas, the adoption of the Declaration of Independence 233 years ago marked the birth of our country as a free and sovereign Nation and, each year, Americans celebrate this historic day, remembering the achievements of our founders and reflecting on the rights and privileges of citizenship, as well as its responsibilities; and

Whereas, in 1963, an act of Congress officially authorized the “Let Freedom Ring” National Bell Ringing Ceremony in honor of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and, throughout the years, carillons, state houses, churches, synagogues and other places of worship, fire halls, universities and other bell-ringing institutions have added their own distinctive sound to this national observance; and

Whereas, communities across these great United States also celebrate this grand occasion at which citizens of all cultural backgrounds – many of whom came to this country to find a life of freedom – express their patriotism and pride in being American, and we join with them as they hold annual parades and other events celebrating Independence Day in a venerable and time-honored tradition; and

Whereas, all who have the privilege of being an American citizen, whether by birth or naturalization, take this unique opportunity to reflect upon the anniversary of an historic day which celebrates the privileges and liberties we enjoy as citizens of the greatest democracy in the world, and we join with communities throughout this Nation as they embrace our life of freedom, further calling upon each of us to recommit ourselves to the fervent ideals that inspired our Nation’s founding fathers;

Now, Therefore, I, David A. Paterson, Governor of the State of New York, do hereby proclaim July 4, 2009 as

INDEPENDENCE DAY

in the Empire State and call upon all citizens to “Let Freedom Ring” on this 233rd birthday of our beloved country.

G i v e n under my hand and the Privy Seal of the State at the Capitol in the City of Albany this twenty-first day of June in the year two thousand nine.

David A. Paterson
Governor