ACPS Students Sit in Council Chamber Chairs at Constitution Week Proclamation Signing

September 17, 2011, 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.

The Constitution is the oldest document in active use that establishes the self-government of a people. The 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. 

 In Alexandria, Constitution Week is recognized by the signing of an official proclamation by the mayor at City Hall.  The event, significant for all ages, serves particularly to inspire students in Alexandria schools to remember the importance of our Constitution. This year, Mayor Bill Euille signed the proclamation on Wednesday, September 7, 2011, at 2 p.m. in council chambers.

In attendance were members of the Student Council at Mt. Vernon Elementary School, students from Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School, and a student from Lyle Crouch Traditional Academy; Sheryl Gorsuch, Chairperson, Alexandria City School Board, City Council members Frank Fannon and Alicia Hughes, and members of eight local chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution. 

The Mayor spoke to the students about the importance of the Constitution and its rule-making role in creating a respectful civic society.

The tradition of celebrating the Constitution was prompted 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. 

 Known as the largest women’s patriotic organization in the world, the DAR has over 168,000 members in 3,000 chapters in 50 states and 11 foreign countries. The DAR promotes patriotism through commemorative celebrations, memorials, scholarships and activities for children, and programs for new immigrants. For more information about the DAR and its programs visit www.dar.org or call (202) 628-1776.