Images  of  Article V  Applications

Acknowledgements and Thanks:

FOAVC would like to thank and acknowledge the work of attorney Lynn M. Boughey and the late Senior Federal District Court Judge Bruce Van Sickle for their part in helping to bring these applications to public light.  In year 1990, Mr. Boughey and Judge Van Sickle co-authored:  "Lawful and Peaceful Revolution:  Article V and Congress' Present Duty to Call a Convention for Proposing Amendments" in the Hamlin Law Review. Their article has served as the primary source material in helping FOAVC locate the state applications requesting an Article V Convention (within the Congressional Records). 

We would also like to thank Dr. John Arnold and his staff at NICOM, Inc., Alexandria, Virginia for their assistance in gathering these applications from the onsite National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

Congress Defies Article V of the U.S. Constitution by Ignoring 673 (or more) Article V Applications:   

When it comes to amending the U.S. Constitution, Congress has shown respectful behavior to one type of action by states: state decisions on ratification of amendments proposed by Congress.  But when it comes to states invoking Article V’s option for a convention of state delegates to propose amendments, Congress has, for the entire history of the nation, blatantly and illegally ignored those state applications.

 

As part of FOAVC’s project to make available all such Article V Convention applications for public scrutiny, it has made an important observation.  Congress has failed miserably (most likely by design) at its duty to track and keep a count of all Article V Convention applications (so that they will know when two thirds of the states have met the prerequisite number for a peremptory Article V Convention).  Similar to ratification actions, Congress has categorized these as "memorials" from the states.  Congress has referred these "memorials" to the House and Senate judiciary committees where they die, and are filed away in a multitude of volumes of printed Congressional Records (which we have painstakingly collected below), making it very difficult to keep an accurate count.

Also, please see the following 7 Congressional Records (and there may be many more than 7) that clearly demonstrates that the prerequisite number of states (i.e. two thirds) have already requested an Article V Convention, and Congress on 4 (or more) occasions (over the past 101 years) has ignored their peremptory duty to call an Article V Convention:

 

But unlike the state ratification actions, that can also be found scattered through the CR pages along with convention applications, the latter have never been recorded and tabulated.  In other words, Congress has never pursued any process setting the stage for a decision to honor the requests by states for an Article V convention.  The applications are merely published, ignored and forgotten.  The public has had no effective and detailed information on the entire scope of state applications for a convention.  No effort has ever been formally made to decide whether the simple numerical constitutional requirement for a convention has been satisfied.  Hence, there has never been an Article V convention even though the constitutional requirement for one has more than been satisfied.

 

The monumental difference between congressional handling of memorials regarding ratification versus a convention shows that Congress only respects one of the two methods specified in Article V for proposing constitutional amendments: proposals coming from Congress but not from a convention of state delegates.  In acting this way Congress has intentionally violated the Constitution and the intent of the Founders to provide an alternative to Congress making amendment proposals.  They anticipated that Congress might not propose amendments that the public would embrace and that Americans could lose trust in the federal government and need a way to circumvent it.

Lists:   

Sorted Lists of Most Article V Applications (discovered to date)   

Sources: 

There several sources of reference that have been complied over the years listing different applications by the states for an Article V Convention, but none have ever provided all of the actual texts of the applications in one place as FOAVC is doing here.  None, except the work done by attorney Lynn M. Boughey and the late Senior Federal District Court Judge Bruce Van Sickle, have listed the source of their references, the congressional citations.  However FOAVC is convinced these references are valid and will attempt to most locate most (if not all) of them. 

Meanwhile, we have elected to provide all the information available regarding all Article V applications said or known to exist.  These include the 1973 American Bar Association Report released by the ABA and the work of several authors listed by the ABA in that report. These will be distinguished below by a superscript:  2

Another source material is provided by references contained the book, "Constitutional Brinksmanship, Amending the Constitution by National Convention" by Russell L. Caplan (1988).
These references will be distinguished below by a superscript:  1 

In addition, there are no reliable references for any applications submitted by the states from the period of 1989 to the present. FOAVC is aware of reports of these applications but has no congressional reference at present to locate them.  Our efforts in this regard will of course continue in order to produce as complete a record as possible.

Interpretation and Original Intent:

Any question regarding the intent of the applications or the original interpretation of the obligation of Congress to call an Article V Convention can be easily settled by simply reading the 1789 application from the state of Virginia:  General Annals of Congress 1 (J. Gales Ed.)  Pg 00257-258  Yr 1789 , Pg 00259-00259 , and Pg 00261-00262  The application clearly calls for proposing amendments (emphasis underlined in green) and the discussion by the members of Congress following the submission of the application afterwards is clear. Congress must call an Article V Convention; it has no authority to even debate the issue and the basis of the call is a two-thirds application by the states. 

673 (or more)  Article V Applications (click on links below to view an image and click on the image to enlarge it (depending on browser); NOTE: CR=Congressional Record, Pg=Page, Yr=Year):

  1. General Annals of Congress 1 (J. Gales Ed.)  Pg 00248  Yr 1789-NY-General Call for an Article V Convention
  2. General Annals of Congress 1 (J. Gales Ed.)  Pg 00257  Yr 1789-VA-General Call for an Article V Convention (continued 259, 261)
  3. General Annals of Congress 1 (J. Gales Ed.)  Pg 01103  Yr 1790-RI-General Call for an Article V Convention
  4. CR 0??   Pg ?????   Yr 1832-SC-Nullification; 1
  5. CR 0??   Pg ?????   Yr 1832-GA-Nullification; 1
  6. CR 0??   Pg ?????   Yr 1833-AL-Nullification; 1
  7. CR 0??   Pg ?????   Yr 1860-DE-Slavery; 1
  8. CR 0??   Pg ?????   Yr 1860-AR-Slavery; 1
  9. CR 0??   Pg ?????   Yr 1860-TN-Slavery; 1
  10. CR 0??   Pg ?????   Yr 1861-KY-Slavery; 1
  11. CR 036   Pg 00082  Yr 1861-TN-Direct Election of President and other proposals (continued to: Page 00083)
  12. CR 036   Pg 00114  Yr 1861-KY-Slavery
  13. CR 036   Pg 01270  Yr 1861-KY-Slavery
  14. CR 036   Pg 00680  Yr 1861-NJ-Slavery
  15. Congressional Globe 037   Pg 00773  Yr 1861-KY-Slavery
  16. CR 0??   Pg ?????   Yr 1861-NJ-Slavery; 1
  17. CR 0??   Pg ?????   Yr 1861-IN-Slavery; 1
  18. CR 0??   Pg ?????   Yr 1861-IL-Slavery; 1
  19. CR 0??   Pg ?????   Yr 1861-OH-Slavery; 1
  20. CR 0??   Pg ?????   Yr 1863-DE-Peaceful Resolution to Civil War; 1
  21. CR 0??   Pg ?????   Yr 1863-KY-Slavery; Reaffirming Application of 1861; 1
  22. CR 0??   Pg ?????   Yr 1864-OR-Peaceful Resolution to Civil War; 1
  23. CR 0??   Pg ?????   Yr 1867-NC-Reducing Effects of Emancipation; 1
  24. CR 0??   Pg ?????   Yr 1893-NE-Direct Election of Senators; 1
  25. CR 024   Pg 01603  Yr 1893-NE-Direct Election of Senators
  26. CR 0??   Pg ?????   Yr 1899-PA-Direct Election of Senators; 1
  27. CR 033   Pg 00219  Yr 1899-TX-General Call for an Article V Convention
  28. CR 033   Pg 00280  Yr 1899-TX-General Call for an Article V Convention
  29. CR 033   Pg 00930  Yr 1900-PA-Direct Election of Senators
  30. CR 033   Pg 00971  Yr 1900-PA-Direct Election of Senators
  31. CR 034   Pg 02560  Yr 1901-MN-Anti-Polygamy
  32. CR 034   Pg 02615  Yr 1901-MN-Direct Election of Senators
  33. CR 034   Pg 02615  Yr 1901-NY-Anti-Polygamy
  34. CR 034   Pg 02615  Yr 1901-TN-Anti-Polygamy
  35. CR 034   Pg 02680  Yr 1901-MN-Direct Election of Senators
  36. CR 035   Pg 00112  Yr 1901-NV-Direct Election of Senators
  37. CR 035   Pg 00112  Yr 1901-OR-Direct Election of Senators
  38. CR 035   Pg 00112  Yr 1901-CO-Direct Election of Senators
  39. CR 035   Pg 00117  Yr 1901-MI-General Call for an Article V Convention
  40. CR 035   Pg 00117  Yr 1901-OR-General Call for an Article V Convention
  41. CR 035   Pg 00208  Yr 1901-MT-Direct Election of Senators (continued to: Page 00209)
  42. CR 035   Pg 01779  Yr 1901-NE-Direct Election of Senators
  43. CR 035   Pg 02344  Yr 1902-TN-Direct Election of Senators
  44. CR 035   Pg 02707  Yr 1902-TN-Direct Election of Senators
  45. CR 037   Pg 00024  Yr 1903-NV-Direct Election of Senators
  46. CR 037   Pg 00276  Yr 1903-WI-Direct Election of Senators
  47. CR 038   Pg 04959  Yr 1904-IA-Direct Election of Senators
  48. CR 039   Pg 02447  Yr 1905-MT-Direct Election of Senators
  49. CR 040   Pg 00138  Yr 1905-MO-Direct Election of Senators
  50. CR 041   Pg 02497  Yr 1907-SD-Direct Election of Senators
  51. CR 041   Pg 03011  Yr 1907-DE-Anti-Polygamy
  52. CR 041   Pg 03072  Yr 1907-KS-General Call for an Article V Convention
  53. CR 042   Pg 00163  Yr 1907-NV-Direct Election of Senators
  54. CR 042   Pg 00164  Yr 1907-IL-Direct Election of Senators
  55. CR 042   Pg 00164  Yr 1907-NJ-Direct Election of Senators; over 2/3 of all states requirement already met
  56. CR 042   Pg 00359  Yr 1907-IL-Direct Election of Senators
  57. CR 042   Pg 00894  Yr 1908-OK-Direct Election of Senators
  58. CR 042   Pg 00895  Yr 1908-WI-Direct Election of Senators
  59. CR 042   Pg 00895  Yr 1908-NV-Direct Election of Senators
  60. CR 042   Pg 00895  Yr 1908-IA-Direct Election of Senators
  61. CR 042   Pg 05906  Yr 1908-LA-Direct Election of Senators
  62. CR 042   Pg 05906  Yr 1908-LA-General Call for an Article V Convention
  63. CR 043   Pg 02025  Yr 1909-OR-Direct Election of Senators
  64. CR 043   Pg 02065  Yr 1909-OR-Direct Election of Senators
  65. CR 043   Pg 02071  Yr 1909-OR-Direct Election of Senators
  66. CR 043   Pg 02115  Yr 1909-OR-Direct Election of Senators
  67. CR 043   Pg 02667  Yr 1909-SD-General Call for an Article V Convention; over 2/3 of all states requirement already met (continued: Page 02688)
  68. CR 043   Pg 02668  Yr 1909-SD-Direct Election of Senators
  69. CR 043   Pg 02670  Yr 1909-SD-Anti-Polygamy
  70. CR 043   Pg 04339  Yr 1911-ME-Direct Election of Senators
  71. CR 045   Pg 07113  Yr 1910-AR-Direct Election of Senators
  72. CR 045   Pg 07113  Yr 1910-CO-Direct Election of Senators
  73. CR 045   Pg 07113  Yr 1910-CO-General Call for an Article V Convention
  74. CR 045   Pg 07114  Yr 1910-IA-Direct Election of Senators
  75. CR 045   Pg 07114  Yr 1910-IA-General Call for an Article V Convention
  76. CR 045   Pg 07114  Yr 1910-ID-General Call for an Article V Convention
  77. CR 045   Pg 07114  Yr 1910-IN-Direct Election of Senators
  78. CR 045   Pg 07114  Yr 1910-IN-General Call for an Article V Convention
  79. CR 045   Pg 07114  Yr 1910-IL-Direct Election of Senators (continued: Page 07114)
  80. CR 045   Pg 07114  Yr 1910-IL-General Call for an Article V Convention
  81. CR 045   Pg 07115  Yr 1910-KY-Direct Election of Senators
  82. CR 045   Pg 07115  Yr 1910-KS-Direct Election of Senators
  83. CR 045   Pg 07115  Yr 1910-KS-General Call for an Article V Convention
  84. CR 045   Pg 07115  Yr 1910-LA-General Call for an Article V Convention
  85. CR 045   Pg 07115  Yr 1910-LA-Direct Election of Senators
  86. CR 045   Pg 07116  Yr 1910-MN-Direct Election of Senators
  87. CR 045   Pg 07116  Yr 1910-NE-Direct Election of Senators
  88. CR 045   Pg 07116  Yr 1910-MI-Direct Election of Senators
  89. CR 045   Pg 07116  Yr 1910-MO-General Call for an Article V Convention
  90. CR 045   Pg 07116  Yr 1910-MO-Direct Election of Senators
  91. CR 045   Pg 07117  Yr 1910-NC-Direct Election of Senators
  92. CR 045   Pg 07117  Yr 1910-NJ-Direct Election of Senators; over 2/3 of all states requirement already met
  93. CR 045   Pg 07117  Yr 1910-NV-Direct Election of Senators
  94. CR 045   Pg 07117  Yr 1910-OK-Direct Election of Senators (continued to: Page 07118)
  95. CR 045   Pg 07117  Yr 1910-OK-General Call for an Article V Convention
  96. CR 045   Pg 07118  Yr 1910-PA-Direct Election of Senators
  97. CR 045   Pg 07118  Yr 1910-OK-Direct Election of Senators
  98. CR 045   Pg 07118  Yr 1910-OR-Direct Election of Senators
  99. CR 045   Pg 07118  Yr 1910-SD-Direct Election of Senators
  100. CR 045   Pg 07118  Yr 1910-TN-Direct Election of Senators (continued to: Page 07119)
  101. CR 045   Pg 07119  Yr 1910-IA-General Call for an Article V Convention
  102. CR 045   Pg 07119  Yr 1910-IA-Direct Election of Senators
  103. CR 045   Pg 07119  Yr 1910-KS-Direct Election of Senators
  104. CR 045   Pg 07119  Yr 1910-KS-General Call for an Article V Convention
  105. CR 045   Pg 07119  Yr 1910-LA-Direct Election of Senators
  106. CR 045   Pg 07119  Yr 1910-LA-General Call for an Article V Convention
  107. CR 045   Pg 07119  Yr 1910-TX-Direct Election of Senators
  108. CR 045   Pg 07119  Yr 1910-UT-Direct Election of Senators; over 2/3 of all states requirement already met
  109. CR 045   Pg 07119  Yr 1910-WA-Direct Election of Senators
  110. CR 045   Pg 07119  Yr 1910-WI-Direct Election of Senators
  111. CR 045   Pg 07119  Yr 1910-WI-General Call for an Article V Convention; over 2/3 of all states requirement already met (continued to: Page 07120)
  112. CR 045   Pg 07120  Yr 1910-WY-Direct Election of Senators
  113. CR 045   Pg 07120  Yr 1910-WY-General Call for an Article V Convention
  114. CR 046   Pg ?????   Yr 1911-MA-Repeal of Prohibition;  2
  115. CR 046   Pg 00651  Yr 1911-WA-Anti-Polygamy
  116. CR 046   Pg 02411  Yr 1911-MT-Direct Election of Senators
  117. CR 046   Pg 02411  Yr 1911-MT-General Call for an Article V Convention
  118. CR 046   Pg 03035  Yr 1911-WA-Direct Election of Senators (continued to: Page 03036)
  119. CR 046   Pg 03035  Yr 1911-WA-General Call for an Article V Convention
  120. CR 046   Pg 04280  Yr 1911-ME-Direct Election of Senators
  121. CR 047   Pg 00085  Yr 1911-OH-Anti-Polygamy
  122. CR 047   Pg 00098  Yr 1911-MT-Anti-Polygamy (continued to: Page 00099)
  123. CR 047   Pg 00099  Yr 1911-NE-Anti-Polygamy
  124. CR 047   Pg 00187  Yr 1911-TN-Anti-Polygamy
  125. CR 047   Pg 00660  Yr 1911-OH-Anti-Polygamy (continued to: Page 00661)
  126. CR 047   Pg 01298  Yr 1911-IL-Anti-monopoly
  127. CR 047   Pg 01842  Yr 1911-WI-General Call for an Article V Convention
  128. CR 047   Pg 01842  Yr 1911-WI-General Call for an Article V Convention, Initiative, Referendum, and Recall
  129. CR 047   Pg 01872  Yr 1911-WI-General Call for an Article V Convention, Initiative, Referendum, and Recall (continued to: Page 01873)
  130. CR 047   Pg 02000  Yr 1911-NE-Anti-Polygamy
  131. CR 047   Pg 02000  Yr 1911-CA-Direct Election of Senators
  132. CR 047   Pg 02000  Yr 1911-WI-General Call for an Article V Convention, Initiative, Referendum, and Recall
  133. CR 047   Pg 02188  Yr 1911-WI-General Call for an Article V Convention, Initiative, Referendum, and Recall
  134. CR 047   Pg 03087  Yr 1911-WI-General Call for an Article V Convention, Initiative, Referendum, and Recall
  135. CR 049   Pg 01433  Yr 1913-VT-Anti-Polygamy
  136. CR 049   Pg 02463  Yr 1913-OR-Anti-Polygamy
  137. CR 049   Pg 02464  Yr 1913-VT-Anti-Polygamy
  138. CR 050   Pg 00042  Yr 1913-WI-Anti-Polygamy (continued to: Page 00043)
  139. CR 050   Pg 00116  Yr 1913-NM-Direct Election of Senators
  140. CR 050   Pg 00116  Yr 1913-WI-Anti-Polygamy
  141. CR 050   Pg 00120  Yr 1913-IL-Anti-Polygamy (continued to: Page 00121)
  142. CR 050   Pg 02290  Yr 1913-MI-Anti-Polygamy
  143. CR 050   Pg 02428  Yr 1913-MO-Manner of Determining Constitutionality of State Enactments
  144. CR 053   Pg 00242  Yr 1916-SC-Anti-Polygamy
  145. CR 060   Pg 00011  Yr 1920-LA-Popular Ratification Vote
  146. CR 060   Pg 00031  Yr 1920-LA-Popular Ratification Vote 
  147. CR 067   Pg 00458  Yr 1925-NV-Amend 18th Amendment
  148. CR 067   Pg 00458  Yr 1925-WI-Direct Election of President, Vice President
  149. CR 071   Pg 02590  Yr 1929-WI-General Call for an Article V Convention
  150. CR 071   Pg 03369  Yr 1929-WI-General Call for an Article V Convention; over 2/3 of all states requirement already met
  151. CR 071   Pg 03856  Yr 1929-WI-General Call for an Article V Convention; over 2/3 of all states requirement already met
  152. CR 075   Pg 00045  Yr 1931-MA-Repeal of 18th Amendment
  153. CR 075   Pg 00048  Yr 1931-NY-Repeal of 18th Amendment
  154. CR 075   Pg 00057  Yr 1931-WI-Repeal of 18th Amendment
  155. CR 075   Pg 00057  Yr 1931-WI-Repeal of 18th Amendment
  156. CR 075   Pg 00664  Yr 1931-MA-Repeal of 18th Amendment
  157. CR 075   Pg 03299  Yr 1931-NJ-Repeal of 18th Amendment
  158. CR 079   Pg 10814  Yr 1931-CA-Taxation of Government Securities
  159. CR 079   Pg 10814  Yr 1931-CA-Federal Regulation of Labor Hours and Wages
  160. CR 084   Pg 00985  Yr 1939-OR-Townsend National Recovery Plan, General Welfare Act of 1937 (H.R.4199)
  161. CR 084   Pg 02509  Yr 1939-WY-Repeal of 16th Amendment (continued to: Page 02510)
  162. CR 084   Pg 03320  Yr 1939-MD-Repeal of 16th Amendment
  163. CR 086   Pg 03407  Yr 1940-RI-Repeal of 16th Amendment
  164. CR 087   Pg 03172  Yr 1941-IA-Repeal of 16th Amendment
  165. CR 087   Pg 03370  Yr 1941-ME-Repeal of 16th Amendment (continued to: Page 03371)
  166. CR 087   Pg 03812  Yr 1941-MA-Repeal of 16th Amendment (continued to: Page 03813)
  167. CR 087   Pg 04537  Yr 1941-MI-Repeal of 16th Amendment
  168. CR 087   Pg 08904  Yr 1941-MI-Repeal of 16th Amendment
  169. CR 089   Pg 02516  Yr 1943-IA-Presidential Term-Limits
  170. CR 089   Pg 02516  Yr 1943-IL-Presidential Term-Limits (continued to: Page 02517)
  171. CR 089   Pg 02728  Yr 1943-IA-Presidential Term-Limits
  172. CR 089   Pg 02944  Yr 1943-MI-Presidential Term-Limits
  173. CR 089   Pg 03761  Yr 1943-NH-Repeal of 16th Amendment (continued to: Page 03762)
  174. CR 089   Pg 04017  Yr 1943-DE-Repeal of 16th Amendment
  175. CR 089   Pg 05690  Yr 1943-FL-Limited World Federal Government
  176. CR 089   Pg 07523  Yr 1943-AL-Repeal of 16th Amendment  (continued to: Page 07524)
  177. CR 089   Pg 07524  Yr 1943-WI-Repeal of 16th Amendment 
  178. CR 089   Pg 07525  Yr 1943-WI-Presidential Term-Limits
  179. CR 089   Pg 08220  Yr 1943-PA-Unconditional Federal Public Funds
  180. CR 089   Pg 08220  Yr 1943-PA-Repeal of 16th Amendment
  181. CR 090   Pg 04040  Yr 1944-KY-Repeal of 16th Amendment (continued to: Page 04041)
  182. CR 090   Pg 06141  Yr 1944-NJ-Repeal of 16th Amendment
  183. CR 095   Pg 04568  Yr 1949-CA-Limited World Federal Government (continued to: Page 04569)
  184. CR 095   Pg 04571  Yr 1949-NJ-Limited World Federal Government
  185. CR 095   Pg 05628  Yr 1949-MI-Repeal of 16th Amendment, Limited Federal Taxation (continued to: Page 05629)
  186. CR 095   Pg 06586  Yr 1949-FL-Limited World Federal Government 
  187. CR 095   Pg 06587  Yr 1949-NC-Limited World Federal Government (continued to: Page 06588)
  188. CR 095   Pg 07000  Yr 1949-FL-Limited World Federal Government
  189. CR 095   Pg 07686  Yr 1949-CT-Limited World Federal Government
  190. CR 095   Pg 07689  Yr 1949-CT-Limited World Federal Government
  191. CR 095   Pg 07893  Yr 1949-NE-Repeal of 16th Amendment, Limited Federal Taxation (continued to: Page 07894) 
  192. CR 095   Pg 08285  Yr 1949-CT-Limited World Federal Government
  193. CR 097   Pg 02936  Yr 1951-KS-Repeal of 16th Amendment
  194. CR 097   Pg 03939  Yr 1951-IA-Repeal of 16th Amendment, Limited Federal Taxation (continued to: Page 03940)
  195. CR 097   Pg 05155  Yr 1951-FL-Repeal of 16th Amendment (continued to: Page 05156)
  196. CR 097   Pg 06032  Yr 1951-CA-Repeal of 16th Amendment (continued to: Page 06033)
  197. CR 097   Pg 06033  Yr 1951-ME-Rescission of Application of 1949
  198. CR 097   Pg 06033  Yr 1951-ME-Limited Federal Taxation (continue to: Page 06034)
  199. CR 097   Pg 10716  Yr 1951-NH-Limited Federal Taxation (continued to: Page 10717)
  200. CR 097   Pg 10973  Yr 1951-KY-Limited Federal Taxation
  201. CR 097   Pg 10973  Yr 1951-KY-Limited Federal Taxation
  202. CR 098   Pg 00742  Yr 1952-AK-Repeal of 16th Amendment
  203. CR 098   Pg 00742  Yr 1952-AR-Limited Federal Taxation
  204. CR 098   Pg 00742  Yr 1952-IL-Limited Federal Taxation
  205. CR 098   Pg 00742  Yr 1952-IL-Repeal of 16th Amendment (continued to: Page 00743)
  206. CR 098   Pg