Editor’s Note: To my
surprise, last night while hoping to wrap the news articles and announcements;
I received the following editorial piece from 33rd District Assemblyman
Jay Obernolte. I’ve observed Jay at many
(as Mayor) City Council of Big Bear Lake meetings, followed him to engagements when
he campaigned, been there in Sacramento, been in the Obernolte Family home and
since January of this year, seen the dedication of the Assemblyman, diligently
working to represent the best of for all citizens of California as well as lead
by example, by living to the fullest as an American.
A Committee of Five
July 2, 1776 the
Continental Congress passed a resolution of independence
and tasked a Committee of Five, lead
by Thomas Jefferson, with drafting the document to formally declare
independence. On July 4, 1776 the Declaration of Independence was approved and
signed by the Continental Congress, which is why we celebrate Independence Day
on July 4th.
The Declaration
of Independence listed 27 grievances against King George III and it asserted in
its preamble, “We hold these truths to be
self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their
Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and
the pursuit of Happiness.” This was the first time in the history of
the world that citizens declared that Rights were granted not from the
government or the king, but were granted from God.
Today, the
Rights our Founding Fathers seized from the British are constantly under siege
from another encroaching government that looks to tax and regulate us more and
more every day- our own! In my time in Sacramento I’ve continually had to
fight the desire of many to grow the government at the expense of the taxpayers
and our liberties. Freedom is a gift we must treasure and protect, and
the history we must preserve for future generations.
As Ronald Reagan
said, “Freedom is never more than one
generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the
bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the
same.”
So, while we
celebrate today with our families and attend BBQ’s, parades or firework shows,
please remember the historical context of today. Remember, that 239 years
ago, our Founding Fathers stood up against tyranny and declared their
independence because they believed no government should be able to violate
their unalienable rights.
It is an honor to represent you. 33rd District Assemblyman Jay Obernolte
The All American Family - The Obernolte's
in the California State Assembly