WASHINGTON, DC –September 17, 2012, begins the national celebration of
Constitution Week. The weeklong commemoration of America’s most important
document is one of our country’s least known official observances. Our
Constitution stands as a testament to the tenacity of Americans throughout
history to maintain their liberties and freedom, and to ensure those inalienable
rights to every American.
The tradition of celebrating the Constitution was started many years ago by
the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). In 1955, the Daughters
petitioned Congress to set aside September 17-23 annually to be dedicated for
the observance of Constitution Week. The resolution was later adopted by the
U.S. Congress and signed into Public Law #915 on August 2, 1956 by President
Dwight D. Eisenhower. The aims of the celebration are to (1) emphasize citizens’
responsibilities for protecting and defending the Constitution, preserving it
for posterity; (2) inform the people that the Constitution is the basis for
America’s great heritage and the foundation for our way of life; and (3)
encourage the study of the historical events which led to the framing of the
Constitution in September 1787.
The United States of America functions as a Republic under the Constitution,
which is the oldest document still in active use that outlines the
self-government of a people. This landmark idea that men had the inalienable
right as individuals to be free and live their lives under their own governance
was the impetus of the American Revolution. Today, the Constitution stands as
an icon of freedom for people around the world.
"We must remember and teach that those who wrote the Constitution believed
that no government can create freedom, but that government must
guard freedom rather than encroach upon the freedoms of its people,"
stated Merry Ann T. Wright, President General of the DAR. "The Constitution by
itself cannot guarantee liberty. A nation’s people can remain free only by being
responsible citizens who are willing to learn about the rights of each arm of
government and require that each is accountable for its own function.
Therefore, Constitution Week is the perfect opportunity to read and study this
great document which is the safeguard of our American liberties. We encourage
all citizens across the country to take time this week to guard that which is
committed to us by our forefathers... our freedom."
DAR has served America for 122 years as its foremost cheerleader. In 1928,
the Daughters began work on a building as a memorial to the Constitution. John
Russell Pope, architect of the Jefferson Memorial, was commissioned to design
the performing arts center, known as DAR Constitution Hall. Today, DAR
Constitution Hall is the only structure erected in tribute to the Constitution
of the United States of America.
Known as the largest women’s patriotic organization in the world, DAR has
170,000 members with approximately 3,000 chapters in all 50 states and 11
foreign countries. The DAR has long promoted patriotism through commemorative
celebrations, memorials, scholarships and activities for children, and programs
for new immigrants. For more information about DAR and its programs visit www.dar.org or call (202) 628-1776. | 
.JPG)
