The Declaration of Independence, signed July 4, 1776.  The document was drafted by a group of men in the Continental Congress made up of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston. Jefferson, an accomplished writer, wrote the first draft; then it was edited by the others, and then edited again by the whole Congress. 56 members of Congress signed it. The Declaration of Independence clearly explains why the 13 colonies, at war with Great Britain and regarded themselves as thirteen independent sovereign states, wanted to no longer be under British rule. With the Declaration, these new states took a brave first step toward forming the beloved United States of America.  https://www.davidstuff.com/opinion/founding.htm https://www.geni.com/people/John-Hart-Signer-of-the-Declaration-of-Independence/6000000006712109764 https://www.ushistory.org/declaration//signers/hancock.html https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/american-revolution-history What kind of men were they? 25 were lawyers, 11 were merchants, 9 were farmers or large plantation owners, 1 was a teacher, 1 a musician, and 1 a printer.  5 of these men were captured by the British and brutally tortured as traitors. 9 fought in the War for Independence (1775-1783) and died. 2 lost their sons in the Continental Army. 2 others has sons captured.  At least 12 had their homes pillaged and burned down.  John Hancock lost an infant daughter due to hardships. William Ellery’s home was burned and his property destroyed.  Richard Stockton’s wife and family was driven from their home and hid with friends. His estate was looted, his possessions burned, and his horses stolen. He was so brutally treated while in prison he died before the war ended.  Francis Lewis had his home and property destroyed, and his wife was put in jail. She died 2 years later from this mistreatment.  John Hart’s 13 children fled for their lives when their home, fields, and grist mill were destroyed. His wife was near death. John Hart hid in the woods for over a year to avoid being captured. He often slept in caves.  When he finally returned home, his wife had died, his children disappeared, and his land and farm were completely destroyed. He died in 1779 without ever seeing his family again.  These are some of the sacrifices that were made when the 56 men signed the Declaration of Independence as it declared, “For the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of the Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor”.  Contact your legislator in WA state: leg.wa.gov Then click “find your district” to find who your legislators and senator are. WA state legislative hotline: 1-800-562-6000 https://leg.wa.gov/LIC/Pages/default.aspx To contact your member of Congress:  Senators-  https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/WA Representatives- https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/WA#representatives