Wyoming and the federal union.

WORKING DRAFT
2016
State of Wyoming
16LSO-0378
Introduced
1.2

House

JOINT RESOLUTION
NO.

HJ0008

Wyoming and the federal union.

Sponsored by:
Representative(s) Edmonds, Baker, Blackburn, Clem, Edwards, Eklund, Halverson, Jaggi, Jennings, Lindholm, McKim, Miller, Piiparinen and Reeder

A JOINT RESOLUTION

for

A JOINT RESOLUTION proposing to amend the Wyoming Constitution to remove the word "inseparable" from the description of Wyoming's involvement in the federal union.

WHEREAS, the 1783 Treaty of Paris, Article I states: "
His Britannic Majesty acknowledges the said United States, viz. New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, to be free, sovereign and independent states; that he treats with them as such, and for himself, his heirs and successors, relinquishes all claims to the government, propriety and territorial rights of the same, and every part thereof";

and

WHEREAS, the 1776 Declaration of Independence states:
“
That to secure these rights, Governments are Instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its power in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness"; and

WHEREAS
,
the 1789 Constitution of the United States of America contains no statement or assertion of inseparability or any similar term;

and

WHEREAS, the 1890 Constitution of the State of Wyoming, Article 1, Section 1 states:

"All power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority, and instituted for their peace, safety and happiness; for the advancement of these ends they have at all times an inalienable and indefeasible right to alter, reform or abolish the government in such manner as they may think proper"; and

WHEREAS, no political union ever has or ever will be eternal; and

WHEREAS
,
the inalienable right to self-government is the foundation of our republic.

NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING,
two-thirds of all the members of the two houses, voting separately
, concurring
therein:

Section 1.

The following proposal to amend Wyoming Con
stitution, Article 1
,
Section

37
is proposed for submission to the electors of the State of Wyoming at the next general election for approval or rejection to become valid as a part of the Constitution if ratified by a majority of the electors at the election:

Article 1, Section 37.

Constitution of United States supreme law of land.

The State of Wyoming is
an i
nseparable
a

part of the federal union, and the constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the land.

Section 2.

That the Secretary of State shall endorse the following statement on the proposed amendment:

This amendment would remove the word "inseparable" from Article 1, Section 37 of the Wyoming Constitution
,
which
provides: "
The State of Wyoming is an
inseparable

part
of the federal union, and the constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the land.
"

(END)

1
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