DAR celebrates Constitution Week

DAR celebrates Constitution Week

Foundation of our nation’s government turns 229

Robert Crittenden Chapter DAR There are two documents of paramount importance to American history: the Declaration of Independence, which forged our national identity, and the United States Constitution, which set forth the framework for the federal government that is still in use today.

While Independence Day is a beloved national holiday, fewer people know about Constitution Week, an annual commemoration of the living document that upholds and protects the freedoms central to our American way of life.

As part of the local observance, the Robert Crittenden Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) has received city proclamations recognizing Constitution Week from West Memphis Mayor Bill Johnson and Marion Mayor Frank Fogleman. The proclamations are being displayed at the West Memphis Public Library on Avalon and the Woolfolk Public Library on Currie along with pocket copies of the Constitution and sample “proclamations” for students to make a pledge to read the U.S. Constitution. Also in this outreach, the Robert Crittenden DAR has submitted to area elementary schools a brief Power Point presentation highlighting the rules on federal elections as set out by the Founding Fathers in the Constitution.

The DAR initiated the observance in 1955, when the organization petitioned the U.S. Congress to dedicate September 17-23 of each year to the commemoration of Constitution Week. Congress adopted the resolution, and on August 2, 1956, President Dwight D.

Eisenhower signed it into Public Law #915.

The celebration's goals are threefold: to encourage the study of the historical events that led to the signing of the Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787; to inform people that the Constitution is the basis of America's great heritage and the foundation of our way of life; and to emphasize U.S. citizens'

responsibility to protect, defend and preserve

the Constitution.

“The framers created a Constitution that translated into law the ideals upon which our nation was built,” said DAR President General Ann Dillon. “Their vision was so forward thinking that their words still guide us today. No American history education can be complete without a thorough understanding of the impact the Constitution has had on the lives of American citizens past and present.”

Known as the largest women's patriotic organization in the world, DAR has over 180,000 members with approximately 3,000 chapters in all 50 states and 13 foreign countries. Along with encouraging patriotism, the Robert Crittenden Chapter sponsors history contests for area students, citizenship awards for graduating seniors, ROTC achievement awards and a scholarship at Mid-South Community College. The group attends naturalization programs to welcome new citizens. Throughout the year, chapter members contribute to DAR schools, St.

Jude Children's Research Hospital and Steudlein Learning Center and help encourage our aging and returning veterans through the Memphis VA Medical Center.

Area women who are interested in researching their background for an American Revolutionary patriot and becoming part of the DAR are welcome to leave a message at (870) 5145881 or mak10s@aol.com or leighann.kennedy325@gm ail.com. Any school, church or organization which would like to receive a copy of the Constitution election Power Point may also leave a message.

For additional information about DAR and its programs, visit www.dar.org.

By Leigh Ann Kennedy