President John Adams stated, “The Declaration of Independence will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be celebrated with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of the continent to the other, from this time forward for evermore.”

Today, we celebrate the passage of The Founding of America Documents Bill, S.B. 165, sponsored by State Senator Larry Obhof and State Representative John Adams. This legislation will strengthen American Government and History standards in Ohio high schools and American History in primary and middle schools by enumerating the founding documents into the Ohio Revised Code to be taught in the Ohio classroom, specifically The Declaration of Independence, The Northwest Ordinance, The Constitution of the United States with emphasis on the Bill of Rights, The Ohio Constitution, the Federalist Papers and the Anti-Federalist Papers.

Benjamin Franklin was asked by a woman as he emerged from Independence Hall at the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention, “Doctor, what form of government do we have?” He replied, “You have a republic, Madam, if you can keep it.”

In recent years, unfortunately, curriculum in Ohio schools has placed less emphasis upon our founding documents and our American heritage. This legislation will highlight those documents of freedom and enumerated rights so that the next generation can carry the torch of liberty that these documents represent. We commend the members of The Ohio General Assembly for their overwhelming support of this legislation.

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