TWILIGHT ZONE DAY (1908)
Categories: Anniversary, Politics, Environment, Space & The Outdoors & Legal
Location: United States
Type of Event: Daily Event
Updated: May 11, 2024
Location: United States
Type of Event: Daily Event
Updated: May 11, 2024
About Twilight Zone Day
It was on May 11 1908 that the first National Gathering of Governors occurred. The president at the time was Teddy Roosevelt. The day commemorates the coming together of the nation’s governors and the decisions made that day to protect America’s natural resources and institute a nationwide system of conservation and preservation.
The day received its name due to the comment of William Jennings Bryan, an influential politician of the time. The focus was that there can be no twilight zone between state and federal government that would allow corporations to exploit the nation’s natural resources.
"I am jealous of any encroachment upon the rights of the State, believing that the States are as indestructible as the Union is indissoluble. It is, however, entirely consistent with this theory to believe, as I do believe, that it is just as imperative that the general Government shall discharge the duties delegated to it, as it is that the States shall exercise the powers reserved to them.
There is no twilight zone between the Nation and the State, in which exploiting interests can take refuge from both, and my observation is that most-not all, but most-of the contentions over the line between Nation and State are traceable to predatory corporations which are trying to shield themselves from deserved punishment, or endeavoring to prevent needed restraining legislation."
At the conference, a Governors' Resolutions Committee prepared a declaration of the Governors' view that
(1) conservation of natural resources was a subject of transcendent importance;
(2) the President was to be commended for calling the Conference to seek remedies for environmental degradation through the cooperation of the federal government and the states;
(3) the President should call the Governors and members of Congress together from time to time in the future to continue their dialogue concerning natural resource protection; and
(4) each state should appoint a Commission on the Conservation of Natural Resources.
The day received its name due to the comment of William Jennings Bryan, an influential politician of the time. The focus was that there can be no twilight zone between state and federal government that would allow corporations to exploit the nation’s natural resources.
"I am jealous of any encroachment upon the rights of the State, believing that the States are as indestructible as the Union is indissoluble. It is, however, entirely consistent with this theory to believe, as I do believe, that it is just as imperative that the general Government shall discharge the duties delegated to it, as it is that the States shall exercise the powers reserved to them.
There is no twilight zone between the Nation and the State, in which exploiting interests can take refuge from both, and my observation is that most-not all, but most-of the contentions over the line between Nation and State are traceable to predatory corporations which are trying to shield themselves from deserved punishment, or endeavoring to prevent needed restraining legislation."
At the conference, a Governors' Resolutions Committee prepared a declaration of the Governors' view that
(1) conservation of natural resources was a subject of transcendent importance;
(2) the President was to be commended for calling the Conference to seek remedies for environmental degradation through the cooperation of the federal government and the states;
(3) the President should call the Governors and members of Congress together from time to time in the future to continue their dialogue concerning natural resource protection; and
(4) each state should appoint a Commission on the Conservation of Natural Resources.
PROMOTIONAL DETAILS
Event Sponsor:
Historical Event, National Governors Association
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Roosevelt's Speech to Governors 1908 establishing conservation efforts
