ST. GEORGE — The County Commission declared Washington County to be “America’s County” in a proclamation outlining their thoughts about the nation and how the county “will forever be a beacon of freedom and of liberty.”
The proclamation, which was made Tuesday, comes in advance of “Liberty Week,” an event the commission voted to sponsor earlier this year in collaboration with the nonprofit United We Pledge group.
Slated to run June 26-July 4, “Liberty Week” is to be a celebration of American heritage and liberty. United We Pledge’s efforts are specifically geared toward teaching youth about the foundations of the country.
Commissioner Victor Iverson noted the county’s work with United We Pledge had some influence on the creation of the proclamation that highlights the thoughts and feelings of the county’s three commissioners about the nation and freedoms outlined in the Constitution. Moreover, the proclamation declares that Washington County will be a place where the Constitution is ever observed and upheld.
“There are so many things right now, if you read the news, that divide, and yet this nation has been blessed and has a beautiful history that we should be celebrating,” Iverson said.
“It’s not going to be this one week (Liberty Week) we have coming up, but going forward we want our citizens and friends that come here and visit to celebrate the goodness and greatness of this nation with us,” he added.
The proclamation can be read in its entirety at this link.
Each commissioner supplied their thoughts for the proclamation that was then combined and crafted into a coherent document by Deputy County Attorney Devin Snow, Commissioner Gil Almquist said. He added with a grin that he could tell which parts of the proclamation were taken from his own words or those of his fellow commissioners.
“I hope this sends a message to the (nation’s) other 3,000-plus counties of what America really is and how we are striving to make that known and that we’ve put it to words,” Almquist said.
Almquist noted some of the issues the county is currently facing, such as crime and gang activity, have been brought into the county from other places. He went on to say that people with the intent to harm others or change the area’s culture should not move to Washington County.
“Don’t move here if your intent is to take away our freedom,” he said. “Don’t move here if you’re going to perpetrate crime on any of our citizens. Don’t move here if you have failed ideas that failed somewhere else or will yet fail somewhere else. Don’t come here if you’re going to disrespect law enforcement or first responders.
“Absolutely do not move here if you’re going to disrespect our local or U.S. history. Don’t move here if you’re not going to help build Dixie, but rather tear it down.”
Almquist continued, saying people who disrespect the American flag or the Southern Paiute tribe, are unwilling to work hard, or exercise bias and discrimination against others for any reason need not seek residence in the county.
“Above all, don’t move here if you’re not going to recognize the principles of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights and every amendment thereafter,” he said. “That’s the foundation, and we want to stress that in this proclamation as well as every single word that’s in it. Otherwise, move here. Be free. Enjoy it.”
Commission Chair Adam Snow was the last to speak on the proclamation before reading it in its entirety.
“We wanted to make sure that the world knows, that America knows and the rest of Utah knows that Washington County will forever be a beacon of freedom and of liberty for this state.”
If people want to know what it is like to live in “a place that is still free,” they can look to Washington County as an example and apply what they see elsewhere in an effort to “continue to spread freedom around the world,” Snow said.
Whereas, while the foundation of freedom was constructed in small parts throughout the world over many centuries, true freedom is a uniquely American experiment.
Whereas, only in this great nation has the ideal of liberty, longed for by all mankind since the dawn of time, been established in an enduring and perpetual form
Whereas, only in this great nation has the ideal of liberty, longed for by all mankind since the dawn of time, been established in an enduring and perpetual form…
…Whereas, determined men and women were sent to Washington County in the furtherance of freedom in practical application and cooperative success of the state and region.
Whereas, only those brave enough and strong enough and strong enough stayed and survived in Utah’s Dixie.
Whereas, that history of courageous hard work and striving for independence in an unforgiving environment established a legacy of endurance and determination for success of liberty in this land.
Whereas, freedom, patriotism, and liberty have long been defended through courage and bravery in Utah’s Dixie since inception.
Whereas, the courage of our founding fathers was carried in the hearts of the early pioneers, and still thrives in the hearts of new American patriots in Washington County today.
Whereas, freedom, patriotism, and liberty have long been defended through courage and bravery in Utah’s Dixie since inception.
Whereas, the courage of our founding fathers was carried in the hearts of the early pioneers, and still thrives in the hearts of new American patriots in Washington County today…
…NOW, THEREFORE, we, the county commissioners of Washington County, hereby declare and proclaim all of Washington County as America’s County, with a perpetual commitment to stand by the principles of the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Utah, the Bill of Rights, and the principles of American Government. We do this to preserve the God-given rights, as referenced in the Declaration of Independence, to Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
Ed note: Canyon Media, St. George News’ parent company, is a sponsor of United We Pledges’ upcoming Liberty Week.
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