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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
NATIONAL LAW DAY 2026
Whereas, the Declaration of Independence states that all individuals are endowed with certain unalienable rights and chief among them are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; and
Whereas, the Rule of Law, as defined by the World Justice Project, refers to a system of self-government in which the government and all individuals are held accountable to a set of fair, publicized and broadly understood laws that are evenly enforced; and
WHEREAS, in 1931, James Truslow Adams defined the “American Dream” in Epic of America as “a dream of a social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position”; and
WHEREAS, for many the American Dream is the right to the opportunity to prosper - to own property, to operate a small business, to work in fair labor conditions without discrimination, to achieve economic mobility and financial independence for oneself and for one’s family; and
WHEREAS the American Dream of individual and national prosperity is both dependent upon and critical to political liberty and social equality; and
WHEREAS, the Rule of Law protects fair and just rights to property, to finances, to safe working conditions and to the pursuit of citizenship; and
Whereas, the Rule of Law ensures that no single person or the government is above the law, and that all persons, regardless of their status, must be treated equally under the law, and that no one will be denied liberty or property without due process; and
WHEREAS, with the rule of law, we, the American people, can rely on our courts to enforce agreements and contracts in the marketplace for our jobs, living expenses and other necessities; and
Whereas, today, as the rule of law and the American Dream face significant challenges, their enduring strength and vitality are enhanced by public education and understanding our rights and responsibilities; and
Whereas, the theme for Law Day 2026 is “The Rule of Law and the American Dream”.
Now, therefore, be it resolved, that Cook County Law Library will celebrate Law Day and the rule of law by continuing in its mission of providing access to legal research resources, educational opportunities and legal reference support for the residents of Cook County.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender will celebrate Law Day by continuing in its mission to protect the fundamental rights, liberties and dignity of each person whose case has been entrusted to the Law Office Cook County Public Defender by providing the finest legal representation.
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