Washington, D.C. — On the one-year anniversary of the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, Congressmen Dean Phillips (D-MN) and Jason Crow (D-CO) introduced a resolution to permanently designate January 6^th as “Democracy Day.” The resolution is supported by more than 45 fellow lawmakers.

One year ago, a group of insurrectionists carried out a violent attack against the U.S. Capitol in a failed attempt to prevent lawmakers from certifying the outcome of the 2020 Presidential election. The attack ultimately resulted in multiple deaths and physical harm to over 140 members of law enforcement, and it would have been worse but for their bravery.

The actions of law enforcement – and the swift response by legislators and staff whose lives were also at risk that day – ensured that lawmakers could carry out their responsibility to certify the election results. Their actions in the face of tremendous personal danger helped preserve an over 220-year, unbroken tradition of democratic transitions of presidential power.

“Today marks a somber anniversary of one of the darkest days in our country’s history. Future generations can never forget the actions that took place in the U.S. Capitol one year ago and the bravery required to preserve our democracy,” said Phillips. “I am leading this resolution to designate January 6^th as ‘Democracy Day’ so that the American people never forget how fragile our democracy is and the vigilance required to maintain it.”

“We must never forget the disturbing events in our Nation’s Capital on January 6th, 2021,” Crow said. “I saw with my own eyes just how close we came to losing our democracy. As we reflect on the one-year anniversary of this violent insurrection, each one of us must recommit to the founding ideals of our republic. I look forward to celebrating Democracy Day in the years to come as a symbol of that recommitment every year and I’m proud to work with my friend and colleague, Congressman Phillips to make it happen.”

To ensure that the lessons of the January 6^th assault are not forgotten, this resolution would designate January 6^th as “Democracy Day”. Democracy Day would commemorate the U.S. tradition of successful and democratic transitions of presidential power and honor the sacrifices of those who have preserved this hallmark of democracy. Each year on Democracy Day, state and local governments, civil and educational authorities, and the people of the United States would be urged to observe the day with programs and activities.