WHEREAS individuals bear the responsibility of exercising and defending freedom; and

WHEREAS freedom is defined differently by different societies; and

WHEREAS it is imperative that a campaign to advance the principles of freedom be constructed upon a solid foundation of mutual agreement, now

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the following principles of freedom be adopted by the Freedom 21 Conference, meeting in St. Louis, Missouri, July 9-12, 2000:

1. People have inherent, natural, unalienable rights to life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness - the foundations of sovereignty.

2. Governments exist expressly to protect these rights.

3. Governments derive power from the consent of the governed, to protect these rights.

4. Public policies, which constrain people's rights, must be enacted only by representatives elected by the people.

5. Constitutionally limited government is the best form of government.

6. That government is best which governs least.

7. No foreign government shall supersede the authority of the government of the United States of America.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that these principles be advanced through projects and programs of participating organizations, and by the activities of individuals who share the belief that these principles are the foundation of freedom.

I endorse the principles as outlined in the Freedom 21 Declaration.