In a landmark tribute to the nation’s founding principles, the Michigan Society Sons of the American Revolution (MISSAR) has secured the signatures of current Michigan elected officeholders on a full-size replica of the Declaration of Independence. The commemorative document—signed by Michigan’s statewide officials, members of the Michigan Legislature, and the state’s congressional delegation—celebrates the 250th anniversary of the United States and honors the enduring legacy of the Declaration as the framework of American self-government.

MISSAR leaders describe the project as a symbolic bridge between the citizen-statesmen of 1787 and the public servants of today. “The Declaration remains the great inheritance of the American people,” said MISSAR State President Bob Craig. “By adding their signatures to this replica, Michigan’s elected officials affirm their commitment to the same ideals that guided our founders—liberty, ordered governance, and the rule of law.”

The signing initiative is part of MISSAR’s broader America250 efforts, which highlight Michigan’s unique connections to the nation’s founding era. Although Michigan was still a frontier at the time of the Revolution, dozens of Revolutionary War veterans later settled in the region, bringing with them the civic traditions and principles that shaped the early Republic. MISSAR’s commemorative projects aim to ensure that these stories—and the founding documents that animated them—remain central to Michigan’s observance of the semiquincentennial.

The signed replica will be displayed at select public venues across Michigan throughout the America250 commemoration period, allowing residents to view the document and reflect on the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship. MISSAR hopes the exhibit will inspire renewed appreciation for the Declaration’s endurance and the generations of Americans who have sworn to uphold it.

“This anniversary is not only a moment to look back,” said David Van Hoof, NSSAR vice president general - Great Lakes District 2022-2023 and creator of this event. “It is a call to remember that the Declaration lives through the actions of each generation. Michigan’s leaders have helped us mark that truth in a powerful and lasting way.”