StateofVermont
HouseofRepresentatives
Montpelier,Vermont
JointHouseResolution
J.R.H.1
OfferedbyRepresentativeHigleyofLowell
JointresolutionconstitutinganapplicationforaconventionoftheStatesunderArticleVofthe
UnitedStatesConstitution
Whereas,thefoundersofourConstitutionempoweredStateLegislatorstobeguardiansofliberty
againstfutureabusesofpowerbythefederalgovernment,and
Whereas,thefederalgovernmenthascreatedacrushingnationaldebtthroughimproperand
imprudentspending,and
Whereas,thefederalgovernmenthasinvadedthelegitimaterolesofthestatesthroughthe
manipulativeprocessoffederalmandates,mostofwhichareunfundedtoagreatextent,and
Whereas,thefederalgovernmenthasceasedtoliveunderaproperinterpretationoftheConstitution
oftheUnitedStates,and
Whereas,itisthesolemndutyoftheStatestoprotectthelibertyofourpeople—particularlyforthe
generationstocome—byproposingAmendmentstotheConstitutionoftheUnitedStatesthrougha
ConventionoftheStatesunderArticleVforthepurposeofrestrainingtheseandrelatedabusesof
power,nowthereforebeit
ResolvedbytheSenateandHouseofRepresentatives:
ThattheGeneralAssemblyoftheStateofVermontherebyappliestoCongressundertheprovisions
ofArticleVoftheConstitutionoftheUnitedStates,andbeitfurther
Resolved:ThattheGeneralAssemblyrequeststhattheconventionoftheStatesbelimitedto
proposingamendmentstotheConstitutionoftheUnitedStatesthatimposefiscalrestraintsonthe
federalgovernment,limitthepowerandjurisdictionofthefederalgovernment,andlimitthetermsof
officeforitsofficialsandformembersofCongress,andbeitfurther
Resolved:ThatthisapplicationconstitutesacontinuingapplicationinaccordancewithArticleVof
theConstitutionoftheUnitedStatesuntilthelegislaturesofatleasttwo-thirdsoftheseveralstateshave
madeapplicationsonthesamesubject,andbeitfurther
Resolved:ThattheSecretaryofStatebedirectedtosendacopyofthisresolutiontothePresident
andSecretaryoftheUnitedStatesSenate,totheSpeakerandClerkoftheUnitedStatesHouseof
Representatives,tothemembersoftheVermontCongressionalDelegation,andtothepresidingofficers
ofeachofthelegislativehousesintheseveralStates,requestingtheircooperation.