term:

Preamble

preamble n

[Middle French preambule, from Medieval Latin preambulum, from Late Latin, neuter of preambulus walking in front of, from Latin prae- + ambulare to walk]
: an introductory statement (as to a contract)
;esp
: the introductory part of a constitution or statute that usually states the reasons for and intent of the law NOTE: While preambles do not state law and therefore are not judicially enforceable, they are used to determine legislative intent when interpreting statutes.