Briefing ReportConstitution Week!
Citizenship Day / Constitution WeekSeptember 17-23, 2010
The Constitution of the United States of America was signed into existence by 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention held at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, PA on September 17, 1787. I know, because I was there and I kept meticulous notes of the four months of debate that led up to that momentous occasion. It, along with my writings and passion for liberty, helped earn me the appellation, "Father of the Constitution". Hello, my name is James Madison and I, also, am delighted that you have stopped by for a visit.
Our Nation began celebrating our Constitution's birthday, in ernest, on its 200th birthday - September 17, 1987. Since that time, a little over twenty-two years ago, we have had some form of constitutional celebration going on each anniversary year.
Notably, have been the efforts of a remarkable woman, Louise Leigh, who up until her death in December 2007 (at age 92), organized a nation-wide, simultaneous reading of the Preamble of the Constitution on each September 17th for the previous ten years. People of good will, from all accross the country, meet in differing locations to participate. Two past prominent leading readers have been former Secretary-of-State Colin Powell and General Tommy Franks. It is my hope, and that of all "Founding Fathers", that this tradition continue.
Her efforts, along with many other modern day patriots, led to the re-issuing of yearly official Presidential Proclamations in recognition of "Citizenship Day / Constitution Week" starting again in 2005. Schools and government organizations are again reminded that they are charged with the responsibility to provide Constitution study materials and make a concerted effort to educate students, government employees, and the public at-large on the importance of Constitutional principles in our everyday lives. Louise, you may have joined me in passing into the eternities, but your efforts will always be celebrated, for you have helped put in place an important event pointing a positive direction for our country's future. Thank You!
Louise Leigh (center) picture courtesy of Bill Campbell
Long after my passing into the pages of history, a British Statesman, in recognition of it's 100th anniversary, stated that the Constitution of the United States of America "was the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose of man" (William Gladstone, 1887). Maybe I can shed some light into just why it evokes such tribute. (By the way, don't look to this little essay to try and understand the complexities of our governmental structure. I simply wish to share a couple of thoughts on the continuing importance of our Constitution.)
Some may have thought that we "founding fathers" just met in Philadelphia and immediately agreed upon its wording and completion. Well, that's not quite the way it happened. Though, we were men of logic and understanding and "students of liberty" we were, also, men with our own way of thinking and doing. You might say we were 'steeped' in our own personal preferences. But, what we did was to overcome those natural tendencies and through debate and compromise, came up with a document that has kept you a free people for well over 200 years. Pretty impressive, wouldn't you agree?
Some have looked for perfection in our Constitution as well as in the Nation that it upholds. I, myself, do not see perfection. I do see, however, genius. The genius of the Constitution is not limited to its exact wording or even to its specific organization. Its genius can be seen in the recognition of its own limitations and in its ability to allow for self correction ("Bill of Rights" and other Amendments). Its genius can also be seen in not making that ammendment process too easy.
Its genius is in recognizing the imperfections of humanity and the potential for weakness in its elected officials. Its genius is in the separation of powers and in putting that power into the hands of the many and not the few. Its genius can be seen in providing for the transfer of power through continuous use of election and, therefore, mitigating the need for change by force. The genius of our system of government is not simply that it supports a winning majority, but that it allows, and encourages, the minority to stay in the game with the chance of becoming the new winning majority the next time around.
I submit that one proof of that genius can be seen in the spawning of over one hundred nations that have, in some way or another, used our Constitution as an example, in principle, for the writing of their own Constitutions. And, you know what they say, "Imitation is the perfect form of compliment."
Yours in Liberty,
James Madison4th President of the United States (1809-1817)
PS: If you are looking for an educational project for Citizenship Day / Constitution Week, you might want to check out this suggestion for your Constitution Week Celebrations: "Patriot Partners - Sign on the Constitution Project"
* © 2002 - 2010 PatriotTheme.com - The entire content of this Website is Copyrighted material. Only short descriptive narrative may be used for editorial or other commentary purposes without prior written approval from the publisher.
The following are samples of Presidential Proclamations issued in support of Citizenship Day and Constitution Week in reference to the Congressional Joint Resolutions of 1952 and 1956. These Presidential Proclamations have been issued yearly since September 2005 and hopefully will be re-issued again each succeeding September thereafter. (Note: Citizenship Day / Constitution Week Proclamations have been sporadically issued before 2005 as well).
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America - 2005.
More than two centuries after our Founding Fathers gathered in 1787 in Philadelphia, our Nation continues to be guided by the Constitution they drafted. The Constitution of the United States reflects our ideals and establishes a practical system of government. It provides for three separate branches -- the legislative, the executive, and the judicial -- with defined responsibilities and with checks and balances among the branches.
Under our Constitution, both the Federal Government and the State governments advance the will of the people through the people's representatives. To protect the rights of our citizens and maintain the rule of law, Article III of the Constitution provides for a judiciary of independent judges who have life tenure. These fundamental principles -- separation of powers, federalism, and an independent judiciary -- have endured, and they have been essential to our Nation's progress toward equal justice and liberty for all.
On Constitution Day and Citizenship Day and during Constitution Week, we celebrate the genius of our Constitution and reaffirm our commitment to its stated purposes: "to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity."
In remembrance of the signing of the Constitution and in recognition of the Americans who strive to uphold the duties and responsibilities of citizenship, the Congress, by joint resolution of February 29, 1952 (36 U.S.C. 106, as amended), designated September 17 as "Constitution Day and Citizenship Day," and by joint resolution of August 2, 1956 (36 U.S.C. 108, as amended), requested that the President proclaim the week beginning September 17 and ending September 23 of each year as "Constitution Week."
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim September 17, 2005, as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, and September 17 through September 23, 2005, as Constitution Week. I encourage Federal, State, and local officials, as well as leaders of civic, social, and educational organizations, to conduct ceremonies and programs that celebrate our Constitution and reaffirm our rights and obligations as citizens of our great Nation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirtieth.
GEORGE W. BUSHPresident
Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, Constitution Week - 2006
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America
Americans are united by the principles embodied in the United States Constitution. On Constitution Day and Citizenship Day and during Constitution Week, we celebrate the establishment of the United States Constitution and honor the Framers of this groundbreaking document. In 1787, the Framers of the Constitution met in Philadelphia and drafted a document that continues to be the foundation of our Nation's identity.
The Constitution established the enduring governmental framework in which our free society has flourished for more than two centuries, and it is a testament to the wisdom and foresight of our Founders. America is grateful to those who have worked to defend the Constitution and promote its ideals. During this observance, we also recognize the profound impact our Constitution has on the everyday lives of our citizens, and we call upon all Americans to help uphold its values of a free and just society.
In celebration of the signing of the Constitution and in recognition of the Americans who strive to uphold the duties and responsibilities of citizenship, the Congress, by joint resolution of February 29, 1952 (36 U.S.C. 106, as amended), designated September 17 as "Constitution Day and Citizenship Day," and by joint resolution of August 2, 1956 (36 U.S.C. 108, as amended), requested that the President proclaim the week beginning September 17 and ending September 23 of each year as "Constitution Week."
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim September 17, 2006, as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, and September 17 through September 23, 2006, as Constitution Week. I encourage Federal, State, and local officials, as well as leaders of civic, social, and educational organizations, to conduct ceremonies and programs that celebrate our Constitution and reaffirm our rights and responsibilities as citizens of our great Nation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.
GEORGE W. BUSHPRESIDENT
<> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <>
Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, Constitution Week - 2009
By the President of the United States of America - A Proclamation
The United States Constitution has withstood the test of time for more than two centuries as our Nation's charter of government and the guarantor of our liberties. Signed in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787, this founding document reflects our core values and enshrines the truths set forth in the Declaration of Independence, that we are each endowed with certain unalienable rights. As the beneficiaries of these rights, all Americans have a solemn obligation to participate in our democracy so that it remains vibrant, strong, and responsive to the needs of our citizens.
To succeed, the democracy established in our Constitution requires the active participation of its citizenry. Each of us has a responsibility to learn about our Constitution and teach younger generations about its contents and history. By fulfilling civic duties, engaging government at the local, State, and Federal level, and volunteering in our communities, individual citizens can better our country and breathe life into the freedoms established in the Constitution.
The right to participate in self-government, and the many other freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution, inspire the dreams and ambitions of many inside and outside our borders. These principles serve as a beacon of hope for Americans and those who seek new lives in the United States. Every day, we welcome new and diverse stories and heritages into the great patchwork of our Nation. United by our devotion to the Constitution and to the civic engagement it inspires, Americans remain committed to the fundamental principles established over two hundred years ago.
In remembrance of the signing of the Constitution and in recognition of the Americans who strive to uphold the duties and responsibilities of citizenship, the Congress, by joint resolution of February 29, 1952 (36 U.S.C. 106), designated September 17 as "Constitution Day and Citizenship Day," and by joint resolution of August 2, 1956 (36 U.S.C. 108), requested that the President proclaim the week beginning September 17 and ending September 23 of each year as "Constitution Week."
Now, Therefore, I, Barack Obama, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim September 17, 2009, as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, and September 17 through September 23, 2009, as Constitution Week. I encourage Federal, State, and local officials, as well as leaders of civic, social, and educational organizations, to conduct ceremonies and programs that celebrate our Constitution and reaffirm our rights and obligations as citizens of our great Nation.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.
BARACK OBAMAPresident
