DRAFT Declaration of Citizenship Statements
Split up into four small groups, By the People’s 45 Citizen Delegates spent their days drafting and debating a new Declaration of Citizenship, framing what the rights and responsibilities of citizens should be as we move into the 21st century.
Watch video of statements from delegates at the close of "Dialogues in Democracy: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness," in Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Area, November 2007.
The Delegates touched on some of the most contentious, hotly debated and relevant issues of our time. Their discussions were wide-ranging, lively, vibrant and not without dissent, as they grappled with the issues and priorities of a nation in rapid flux.
Here are their statements:
Abortion and Reproductive Rights
- In order to reduce unplanned pregnancies and to increase access to adoption as an alternative to abortion, the government shall fund the dissemination of reproductive information and resources. The government shall not fund any abortions.
Group A
Civic Engagement
- Citizenship means to take responsibility for ourselves and our families, so that we are not an unnecessary burden on others; to keep abreast of public questions; to participate in public deliberations; to speak out when necessary; to serve our country in time of need; and to live exemplary lives and pass on our values and wisdom to the next generation.
Group A - Our youngest citizens develop their values, faith, and moral reasoning through institutions such as the family, places of worship, civic organizations, schools, and the media. The government should encourage each of these institutions in promoting American values.
Group A - We advocate partnerships between government and the private sector to be developed in the fields of education, national security, healthcare, workforce/employment and other systems where individual and personal support are necessary to succeed.
Group A - Service to country and community is expected from all citizens.
Group B - We encourage the practice of such civic virtues as: civility, civic engagement, moderation, mutual respect and integrity.
Group D
The Economy
- Toward the achievement of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, visionary leadership is required to inspire citizen participation in a vibrant democracy. We believe that those who aspire to leadership — public and private — should provide goals that encourage citizen responsibility. Citizens have a responsibility to be informed and active, and to impel action in the area of economic opportunity and dignity. Alternately: We the people of the United States of America, to complement the liberties already endowed upon us, in order to provide for the common good of the republic, its citizens and citizen institutions, those governed and the governors, encourage our citizens to assume the responsibility of self-government, to be informed and active and to impel action in the area of economic opportunity and dignity.
Group C
Education
- A strong educational system that is competitive and has equal access is critical to the sustainability and prosperity of America.
Group B - Civic education is essential to an informed and engaged democracy.
Group B - Toward the achievement of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, visionary leadership is required to inspire citizen participation in a vibrant democracy. We believe that those who aspire to leadership — public and private — should provide goals that encourage citizen responsibility. Citizens have a responsibility to be informed and active, and to impel action in the area of quality education. Alternately: We the people of the United States of America, to complement the liberties already endowed upon us, in order to provide for the common good of the republic, its citizens and citizen institutions, those governed and the governors, encourage our citizens to assume the responsibility of self-government, to be informed and active and to impel action in the area of quality education.
Group C - Citizens have the right to be able to access education, they have the responsibility to avail oneself of that right.
Group D
Environment
- We must preserve and enhance natural resources to sustain future generations.
Group B - Toward the achievement of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, visionary leadership is required to inspire citizen participation in a vibrant democracy. We believe that those who aspire to leadership — public and private — should provide goals that encourage citizen responsibility. Citizens have a responsibility to be informed and active, and to impel action in the area of sustainable environment and energy. Alternately: We the people of the United States of America, to complement the liberties already endowed upon us, in order to provide for the common good of the republic, its citizens and citizen institutions, those governed and the governors, encourage our citizens to assume the responsibility of self-government, to be informed and active and to impel action in the area of sustainable environment and energy.
Group C
Health Care
- There must be universal access to basic health care.
Group B - Toward the achievement of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, visionary leadership is required to inspire citizen participation in a vibrant democracy. We believe that those who aspire to leadership — public and private — should provide goals that encourage citizen responsibility. Citizens have a responsibility to be informed and active, and to impel action in the area of basic healthcare. Alternately: We the people of the United States of America, to complement the liberties already endowed upon us, in order to provide for the common good of the republic, its citizens and citizen institutions, those governed and the governors, encourage our citizens to assume the responsibility of self-government, to be informed and active and to impel action in the area of basic healthcare.
Group C
Immigration
- Immigration has contributed to the strength of America, and our immigration policy should enhance tolerance, respect and the rule of law.
Group B
Marriage and the Family
- Marriage is defined as either a civic or religious/spiritual institution. Therefore, the government shall grant a civic marriage license to any persons who petition for it. The government shall not require any religious/spiritual institution to approve, bless, or in any way sanction any civic marriage.
Group A - Toward the achievement of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, visionary leadership is required to inspire citizen participation in a vibrant democracy. We believe that those who aspire to leadership — public and private — should provide goals that encourage citizen responsibility. Citizens have a responsibility to be informed and active, and to impel action in the area of family stability. Alternately: We the people of the United States of America, to complement the liberties already endowed upon us, in order to provide for the common good of the republic, its citizens and citizen institutions, those governed and the governors, encourage our citizens to assume the responsibility of self-government, to be informed and active and to impel action in the area of family stability.
Group C
National Security
- No citizen shall be abandoned to languish in conditions which threaten his or her survival, regardless of the circumstances that render the citizen in need.
Group A - It is critical to ensure national security, while preserving essential individual liberties.
Group B - Toward the achievement of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, visionary leadership is required to inspire citizen participation in a vibrant democracy. We believe that those who aspire to leadership — public and private — should provide goals that encourage citizen responsibility. Citizens have a responsibility to be informed and active, and to impel action in the area of national security and community safety. Alternately: We the people of the United States of America, to complement the liberties already endowed upon us, in order to provide for the common good of the republic, its citizens and citizen institutions, those governed and the governors, encourage our citizens to assume the responsibility of self-government, to be informed and active and to impel action in the area of national security and community safety.
Group C
Public Information and the Digital Age
- We reaffirm the principles put forth in the Preamble to the Constitution. All people should actively participate in an ongoing public discourse on important national, public issues. All people should possess the tools, such as education, technology and information, necessary to participate in national, public conversations.
Group A - Citizens have the right to accurate, accessible, and material information and the responsibility to be informed. To this element, three delegates dissented, noting that the existing rights were sufficient to achieve these goals.
Group D - We reaffirm that citizens have the right to privacy, specifically to their personal, biological, and digital information, which are subject to due process. Citizens also have the responsibility to exercise care in its use. To this element, a dissenting opinion was offered, with the reason that this right does not serve to promote better citizenship.
Group D
What do you think should be included in a 21st-century Declaration of Citizenship? Respond to the Delegates’ ideas and lend your voice to the proceedings.
