Seizing the Day
Over 65 constituents, legislators and Convention of States Action Maryland volunteers showed up for Citizen Action Day on February 2nd in Annapolis. It was a mix of in-person fellowship at Harry Browne's Restaurant and Zoom attendees from across the state.
State Events Coordinator, Ce Harrison, kicked off the event with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer. Mike Rilee, our State Director, spoke on the importance of being an engaged citizen and pointed to the Back to Basics campaign building awareness of civics in Maryland.
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Honored guest speakers included COSA Maryland resolution sponsors Senator Justin Ready (District 5) and Delegate Mark Fisher (District 27C). Delegate Sue Krebs (District 5) also spoke, but first she signed the "Blue Back" (aka the draft bill).
Please thank those members of the General Assembly who took the time to participate in Citizen Action Day using the links provided:
| Senator Mary Beth Carozza | District 38 |
| Senator Justin Ready | District 5 |
| Senator Chris West | District 42 |
| Delegate Nick Charles | District 25 |
| Delegate Dan Cox | District 4 |
| Delegate Mark Fisher | District 27C |
| Delegate Jefferson L. Ghrist | District 36 |
| Delegate Jay Jalisi | District 10 |
| Delegate Sue Krebs | District 5 |
| Delegate Ric Metzger | District 6 |
| Delegate Mike McKay | District 1C |
| Delegate Teresa Reilly | District 35B |
The sure highlight of the day was the presentation of our first ever essay contest winners, Cody age 10 and Ellie age 12. Cody presented his essay to the group and here's an excerpt:
...the Preamble of the Constitution starts with these three very famous and important words, “We, The People...” The Framers wanted the people to have control of the government. They didn’t want a guy walking around saying, “I’m the boss, you all listen to me!” The Constitution is the foundation of the Federal system of the government. The Founding Fathers, specifically James Madi-
son, made sure that factions would not be created. He wanted to protect the people and the government from factions because they could have too much power and control of the government, which could lead to chaos. James Madison and the other Framers knew that when people get too powerful, they tend to become corrupt and greedy, which are basically human nature traits
Read the full text of Cody's essay here and Ellie's essay here.
Constituents and volunteers then made the trek to the State House to hand deliver COS Action Maryland information packets - including the list of petition signers in their district - to all 187 legislators.
It was a fantastic turnout and all were thankful for the opportunity to spend time with their fellow citizens.
Notable Quotes
A convention of states will give people hope to come together from all walks of life on a common purpose to redefine the proper role of state and federal government.
Senator Justin Ready, District 5Article V holds the Constitution to it's highest standard.
Delegate Mark Fisher, District 27CA Convention of States will provide a long overdue national conversation.
Michael Rilee, State Director
Legislators listen when they hear from enough constituents to make them listen.
Steve Patten, Grassroots Coordinator
The government does not have the right to decide who is essential and who is not. Everybody is essential in America.
Delegate Mark Fisher, District 27A
Convention of States reminds us of our foundation.
Delegate Sue Krebs, District 5
Thank you to the Convention of States volunteer who educated me on the Article V process.
Delegate Teresa Reilly, District 35B
What's Next?
Convention of States Action Maryland is buckling down in preparation for the Committee Hearings in the Senate and the House.
This is your opportunity to exercise your rights and responsibilities as citizens by contacting your Legislators. Use this link to contact your legislators. Handwritten letters and phones calls are most effective. You can attend hearings and request in-person meetings with your Delegates and Senator.
Citizens taking responsibility, doing their duty and exercising their rights are required.
Convention of States’ non-partisan central mission is to grow a grassroots army of citizen activists to reclaim self-government - government of the people, by the people, for the people - and reverse the growing overreach and abuse perpetrated by the federal government.
