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State of Arkansas 1
95th General Assembly 2
Regular Session, 2025 SR 40 3
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By: Senator Hester 5
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SENATE RESOLUTION 8
TO RECOGNIZE, SUPPORT, AND ENCOURAGE THE ARKANSAS 250 9
COMMISSION AS IT BEGINS ITS WORK TO CELEBRATE 10
ARKANSAS'S RICH TWO-HUNDRED-FIFTY-YEAR HISTORY FROM 11
THE SIGNING OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE ON 12
JULY 4, 1776, THROUGH JULY 4, 2026. 13
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Subtitle 16
TO RECOGNIZE, SUPPORT, AND ENCOURAGE THE 17
ARKANSAS 250 COMMISSION AS IT BEGINS ITS 18
WORK TO CELEBRATE ARKANSAS'S RICH TWO -19
HUNDRED-FIFTY-YEAR HISTORY FROM THE 20
SIGNING OF THE DECLARATION OF 21
INDEPENDENCE THROUGH JULY 4, 2026. 22
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WHEREAS, on July 4, 2026, the United States of America will celebrate 24
the two hundred fiftieth anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of 25
Independence; and 26
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WHEREAS, the United States Congress established the United States 28
Semiquincentennial Commission, which is working with America250.org, Inc., to 29
plan and orchestrate this great occasion, and the United States Congress is 30
encouraging states to join and participate in this celebration of the United 31
States of America; and 32
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WHEREAS, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders created the Arkansas 250 34
Commission to plan, organize, and coordinate Arkansas's celebration 35
activities and events leading up to and on July 4, 2026; and 36 SR40
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WHEREAS, Arkansas and the territory that preceded it have a rich two -2
hundred-fifty-year history to commemorate; and 3
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WHEREAS, in 1776, Arkansas was part of the Louisiana Territory and home 5
to Native Americans and early European settlers; and 6
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WHEREAS, in 1783, a Revolutionary War battle was fought at Arkansas 8
Post; and 9
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WHEREAS, in 1803, the land that would become Arkansas officially became 11
a part of the United States of America via the acquisition known as the 12
Louisiana Purchase; and 13
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WHEREAS, Arkansas officially became a territory of the United States of 15
America in 1819 and achieved statehood in 1836; and 16
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WHEREAS, in the one hundred eighty -nine (189) years since achieving 18
statehood, Arkansas has played a part in the history of our great nation and 19
is rich with stories to tell, legends to recognize, and achievements to 20
celebrate; and 21
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WHEREAS, this semiquincentennial event is a once -in-a-generation 23
opportunity to engage children, students, and adults in educational 24
activities, civic engagement, and public service opportunities, 25
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NOW THEREFORE, 27
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE 28
STATE OF ARKANSAS: 29
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THAT the Senate recognize, support, and encourage the Arkansas 250 31
Commission as it begins its work to celebrate Arkansas's rich two -hundred-32
fifty-year history from the signing of the Declaration of Independence on 33
July 4, 1776, through July 4, 2026. 34
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Senate encourage all educational 36 SR40
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institutions, civic organizations, and all of Arkansas to join this 1
celebration of our state's magnificent history and achievements in a series 2
of events and activities that will culminate on July 4, 2026. 3
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT upon adoption, a copy of this resolution be 5
presented to each of the fifteen (15) members of the Arkansas 250 Commission 6
by the Secretary of the Senate . 7
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