WHEREAS, the first Liberty Tree was an elm tree in colonial Boston where colonists gathered to celebrate liberty; and

         WEREAS, after the Battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775, retreating British regulars cut down the first Liberty Tree when they returned to Boston; and

         WHEREAS, during the American War for Independence, Liberty Trees sprang up in all the 13 Colonies as symbols of liberty and resistance to British tyranny; and

        WHEREAS, Liberty Trees are symbols of freedom and self determination as well as living monuments to remember the great sacrifices made for liberty by American Patriots of all generations for their posterity; and

        WHEREAS, the Battles of Lexington and Concord are commemorated in the State of Idaho as “Patriots Day” every year on April 19th; and

        WHEREAS, a European Beech tree in Capitol Park, Boise, Idaho has been dedicated to the future freedom of Idaho children as a Liberty Tree;

        NOW, THEREFORE, I, C.L. “BUTCH” OTTER, Governor of the State of Idaho, do herby proclaim the Liberty Tree in Capitol Park, Boise, Idaho, as Idaho’s Liberty Tree.
 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Idaho in Boise, Idaho, on this 5th day of August in the year of our Lord two-thousand and seven and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred thirty-second and of the Statehood of Idaho the one hundred eighteenth.

BEN YSURSA
SECRETARY OF STATE