Celebrating Our Independence

It was 247 years ago that 55 visionary men took a quill pen in hand and signed their names to a document that could cost them their lives. “With a firm reliance on the protection of divine providence,” these Founding Fathers pledged their lives, fortunes and sacred honor to establishing a free and independent nation on the American continent. The Declaration of Independence was a radical document not only because severing ties with Great Britain would set off a bloody seven-year war, but also because it established revolutionary ideas that continue to inspire people today. In America, we take for granted that all men are created equal and that governments derive their power from the consent of the people, but around the world, oppressed people yearn for the freedoms we enjoy.

Such a historic event deserves to be honored, but it takes time to prepare an appropriate celebration. If we’re going to be ready for the 250th anniversary of American independence in 2026, we need to get started.

This week, I presented Senate Concurrent Resolution 7 to the Rules, Joint Rules, Resolutions and Ethics Commission. If approved by both the Senate and the House of Representatives, this measure would create the America 250 Missouri Commission. This 13-member body would be responsible for planning, promoting and implementing public celebrations and commemorations of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the formation of our great nation. The commission would work to educate the public, promote events honoring the anniversary and recall the sacrifices of all of America’s veterans who fought to keep us free. It’s my hope that marking 250 years of the freest nation on Earth will advance the cause of liberty and self-government and remind us what makes this country so special.

In other legislative activity this week, I’m pleased to report the Judiciary Committee approved Senate Bill 22 and advanced the measure onto the full Senate for its consideration. Inspired in part by a tragic murder committed in Cole County, this bill would eliminate the possibility of parole for minors convicted of second degree murder. Also this week, the Veterans, Military Affairs and Pensions Committee took testimony on my Senate Bill 20. This legislation modifies terms of service for the Board of Trustees of the Missouri Department of Transportation and Highway Patrol Employees' Retirement System. As chairman of the General Laws Committee, I conducted hearings on legislation that would establish statewide licensing for mechanical contractors (Senate Bill 80) and a measure creating a tax credit for expenses incurred establishing a full-service grocery store in an area designated as a food desert (Senate Bill 143). Finally, the full Senate began the process of debating legislation in the chamber and passing bills onto the House of Representatives.

As always, it is an honor to serve the 6th Senatorial District. If my office can be service to you, please feel free to contact us at 573-751-2076. For information about my committee assignments or sponsored legislation, please visit my official Missouri Senate website at senate.mo.gov/Bernskoetter.