Freedom Shrine

Freedom Shrine Dedication Speech

Winona Senior High School - February 12, 2003

"When Stewart Shaw asked me to give the dedication remarks to the Freedom Shrine he wanted me to focus on my role as a state representative. So I want to draw your attention to Article 4, Section 4 of the United States Constitution. In one sentence "The United States shall guarantee to every State in the Union a Republican Form of Government" every state must have a government of elected representatives. As a State Representative, my election to the Minnesota House of Representatives flows from this single sentence because in this context Republican means a government of elected representatives.

The powers entrusted to the Minnesota House of Representatives come from another sentence in the 10th Amendment. "Any powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the people or to the states." These Reserved Powers are numerous and we are in one of the largest of those powers today, education. But others are marriage, divorce, hunting & fishing licenses, local units of government, gambling and traffic laws to list but a few. All these and more are the result of this simple sentence in the 10th Amendment.

But what authority gives the Federal government its authority? That is established with only three words in the Preamble. These words are written larger than all the rest and can be read across the hall; even if you do not have glasses. "WE THE PEOPLE do ordain and establish this Constitution" Never before in the history of humankind have the People come together to establish a government. It is the People gathered here today to dedicate this Freedom Shrine that are superior to the president, congress, state legislature, school board, superintendent and principal. As long as the People exercise the powers represented in the documents on these walls Abe Lincoln's words, taken from the Preamble, still ring true, "a government of the People, by the People and for the People".

Thank you for inviting me to speak today."

Response from The Shaw Family:

Gene:

Thanks so much for speaking yesterday morning at the dedication of the Freedom Shrine. Your remarks were relevant, informative and timely.

They helped your listeners understand the significance of the shrine's documents for our republic and our nation's way of governing its citizens. So often patriotic events are little more than demonstrations of homage to the flag. But the flag is only the symbol of the living reality which embodies the ideas expressed in the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Gettysburg Address, and other documents in the Freedom Shrine collection. In the limited time we suggested, you helped us understand that our government derives its authority to govern from the consent of the people, and that all powers of government not specifically mentioned in the constitution are reserved for state and
local governments.

I sincerely appreciate your willingness to take time out of your busy
schedule to highlight some of the most important ideas in the Freedom
Shrine documents.

Stewart

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