PRINTER'S NO. 2488
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
287
Session of
2024
INTRODUCED BY KENYATTA, SIEGEL, SANCHEZ, McNEILL, MADDEN,
KINKEAD, KRAJEWSKI, GREEN AND PASHINSKI, JANUARY 9, 2024
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, JANUARY 9, 2024
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Recognizing January 6, 2023, as "Democracy Observance Day for
Education, Remembrance and Vigilance" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Members of Congress met in a joint session in the
United States Capitol Building on January 6, 2021, to officially
tally the Electoral College votes for President and Vice
President of the United States; and
WHEREAS, The largely ceremonial event to affirm the winner of
the November 2020 election was halted as domestic terrorists
encouraged by false accusations of election fraud broke through
barricades around the United States Capitol Building; and
WHEREAS, After shattering windows and pushing past police to
force their way into the United States Capitol Building, the
domestic terrorists began roaming the hallowed halls of
Congress; and
WHEREAS, The domestic terrorists pillaged congressional
offices and ransacked the offices of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
and the Senate Parliamentarian; and
WHEREAS, Damage to the interior of the United States Capitol
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Building included broken glass, broken doors and graffiti; and
WHEREAS, Historic statues, murals and benches must be
extensively cleaned due to residual chemicals from pepper
sprays, tear gas and fire extinguishers; and
WHEREAS, Lawmakers and their staff were forced to remain
sheltered in place, many fearful for their lives; and
WHEREAS, During their evacuation from the Senate floor,
dedicated staffers had the foresight to rescue the boxes
containing the Electoral College ballots; and
WHEREAS, Multiple law enforcement officers were injured by
the violent mob; and
WHEREAS, United States Capitol Police Officer Brian D.
Sicknick died as a result of injuries sustained in his defense
of the United States Capitol Building; and
WHEREAS, United States Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman
lured a group of domestic terrorists away from the United States
Senate chambers as lawmakers were not yet evacuated to safety;
and
WHEREAS, Media depictions from the insurrection show
countless other law enforcement officers, lawmakers and members
of the public showing the best side of humanity in an otherwise
inhumane situation; and
WHEREAS, The attack on the United States Capitol Building
should always be remembered as an attack against our very
democracy; and
WHEREAS, We should further remember the bravery of so many in
the face of overwhelming odds; and
WHEREAS, It is important to recognize that democracy is
fragile and must be protected at all costs; therefore be it
RESOLVED (the Senate concurring), That the General Assembly
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recognize January 6, 2023, as "Democracy Observance Day for
Education, Remembrance and Vigilance," commonly called
"Democracy Observance Day," in memory of the insurrection
against the United States Capitol Building; and be it further
RESOLVED, That, upon adoption of this concurrent resolution
by both chambers of the General Assembly, the Chief Clerk of the
House of Representatives shall transmit a copy of this
resolution to the Governor and to each member of Congress from
Pennsylvania.
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