GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

1983 SESSION

 

 

CHAPTER 257

SENATE BILL 151

 

AN ACT TO COMMEMORATE THE DATE OF THE ADOPTION OF THE HALIFAX RESOLVES ON THE GREAT SEAL OF NORTH CAROLINA.

 

Whereas, April 12, 1983, is the 207th anniversary of the occasion on which the Fourth North Carolina Provincial Congress adopted the famous Halifax Resolves; and

Whereas, the Halifax Resolves authorized the North Carolina delegates to the Continental Congress at Philadelphia to concur with the delegates of other colonies in a declaration of independence from the British Empire; and

Whereas, the Halifax Resolves was the first authoritative, explicit declaration, by any colony in favor of full, final separation from Britain; and

Whereas, the members of the Fourth Provincial Congress were already determined on the course of independence and knew other colonies were likewise so determined; and

Whereas, the said members forbore to take unilaterally an action which they conceived ought to be taken by all 13 colonies acting in unison; and

Whereas, by such forbearance they set the example for American unity in defense of American liberty; and

Whereas, such examples led ultimately to the winning of American independence and to the establishment of the oldest surviving constitutional republic in the world; and

Whereas, the examples set at Halifax on April 12, 1776, ought ever to be an inspiration and model for all North Carolinians and Americans; and

Whereas, April 12 of every year has been designated as Halifax Day; and

Whereas, the importance of the adoption of the Halifax Resolves to this State and Nation is emphasized by placing the date of their adoption on the flag of North Carolina along with the date of the signing of another great document of freedom-The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence; and

Whereas, the date of the adoption of the Halifax Resolves ought to be commemorated on the Great Seal of North Carolina as a constant reminder of the people of this State's commitment to liberty;

 

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

 

Section 1.  The third sentence of the second paragraph of G.S. 147-26 is deleted and the following inserted:

"The date 'May 20, 1775' shall appear within the seal and across the top of the seal. The date 'April 12, 1776' shall appear within the seal and across the bottom of the seal. The words 'esse quam videri' shall appear at the bottom around the perimeter."

Sec. 2.  This act shall not invalidate any Seal presently on display or heretofore used.

Sec. 3.  This act shall become effective on January 1, 1984.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 2nd day of May, 1983.