Whereas 2,000 years after the ancient Greeks laid the groundwork for democracy, the founders of the United States built an even greater system of Government, a democratic republic, propelling the United States to become the most advanced nation in human history; Whereas the model of Government of the United States has been reproduced around the world; Whereas Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln, respectively, described democracy as the light that led us out of gothic darkness and humankind’s last best hope ; Whereas recent life-threatening and life-altering attacks and threats against political figures and public servants speak loudly to the necessity of maintaining mutual respect and civility for the right of an opponent to advocate for or oppose policies; Whereas the ardent pursuit of one’s policies is not diminished whatsoever by the exercise of respect and civility that assures the maintenance of our democracy and freedoms; Whereas President John F. Kennedy said, we must remember on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness ; Whereas, according to the 2022 Freedom House report, only about 20 percent of the global population now live in free countries; Whereas the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights, including the addition of the Reconstruction Era amendments, enshrine the rights and civil liberties of the citizens of the United States, including the right to vote in free and fair elections; Whereas the perpetuation of the ideals of democracy does not happen on its own and can be stalled or reversed; Whereas surveys show citizens of the United States are losing faith in the democratic system; Whereas former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor said, The practice of democracy is not passed down through the gene pool. It must be taught and learned anew by each generation of citizens. ; Whereas President Ronald Reagan said, Democracy is worth dying for, because it’s the most deeply honorable form of government ever devised by man.