Offered By: Senators Campbell, Mccormack and Nitka

NO. R-35Page 1

NO. R-35. House concurrent resolution honoring the Republic of Vermont Celebration–Windsor Heritage Days as the 2007 official Vermont celebration of Vermont’s independence.

(H.C.R.23)

Offered by: Representatives Sweaney of Windsor, Deen of Westminster, Komline of Dorset, Adams of Hartland and Shand of Weathersfield

Offered by: Senators Campbell, McCormack and Nitka

Whereas, from July 6 to 8, the town of Windsor will commemorate both Vermont’s 14 years (1777–1791) as an independent republic and Congress’s acceptance in 1791 of Vermont as the 14th state, and

Whereas, this celebration will commemorate the 230th anniversary of the town of Windsor’s central role in Vermont’s founding and will encompass extensive exhibitions representing life as it existed when Vermont was born, and

Whereas, conventions leading to the creation of the first Vermont Constitution occurred in Westminster, in Dorset, and finally in Windsor during January, June, and July 1777, and on July 8, 1777, the Constitution of the Republic of Vermont was approved, and the fundamental document of a new independent Vermont Republic became a reality, and

Whereas, representatives and organizations from Westminster and Dorset are also invited to participate in the Windsor celebration in recognition of these towns’ roles in Vermont’s establishment as an independent republic, and

Whereas, the Windsor Heritage Days celebration will feature a coordinated event with the Battle of Hubbardton commemoration, and

Whereas, one of the weekend’s highlights will be the Second Annual Vermont Independence Parade, honoring Vermont’s history as an independent nation and featuring music, floats, and marchers from across the state, and

Whereas, the Ninth Annual Cavalcade of Horses Parade, a horse-drawn carriage parade and competition featuring a large contingent of restored 19th century units with costumed drivers, will be a much anticipated event, and

Whereas, the weekend’s displays will include historic forms of transportation and military encampments to be stationed throughout Windsor, representing Vermonters’ contributions across the centuries in battle from the Revolutionary War through World War II, and

Whereas, the 2007 Windsor Heritage Days celebration will include a special United State postal stamp cancellation to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Windsor Post Office, and

Whereas, musical events throughout the weekend will feature selections from the 1770s through more contemporary pieces, and

Whereas, a reenactment of the Vermont Constitution’s adoption and a modern debate featuring “delegates” from all over Vermont will take place, and

Whereas, on three prior occasions, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce has designated the Republic of Vermont Celebration–Windsor Heritage Days as a “top ten” summer event, now therefore be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives:

That the General Assembly honors the Republic of Vermont

Celebration–Windsor Heritage Days as the official Vermont celebration of Vermont’s independence and wishes the organizers every success with all the planned festivities and programs, and be it further

Resolved: That the secretary of state be directed to send a copy of this resolution to Windsor town administrator Donald Howard; to Westminster town clerk Doreen Woodward; to Dorset town clerk Sandra Pinsonault; to this year’s 1777 Republic of Vermont Committee in care of Linda Farnsworth and Dorothy McEnaney, direct descendants of Ebenezer Hoisington, one of Vermont’s founders; to the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation; and to the site administrator of the Old Constitution House, William Jenney, for public display at this Vermont historic site.