Recognizing Constitution Day

RECOGNIZING CONSTITUTION DAY -- (House of Representatives - September 19, 2006)

(Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, Sunday marked the 219th anniversary of the signing of the United States Constitution. To ensure our schoolchildren are educated about our Nation's founding, Congress requires each school to hold an education program observing Constitution Day.

Yesterday, schoolchildren across the country watched as General Colin Powell led the Nationwide recitation of the Preamble. Students at Brookland-Cayce High School in Lexington County's School District 2 hung banners around the school displaying the Bill of Rights. Each senior received a pocket-sized Constitution.

Principal Scott Newman should be commended for his commitment to ensuring students at BC High are well-versed in our Nation's history. He was raised well by his parents, dedicated educators, Tom and Frankie Newman.

As Cicero said, ``To remain ignorant of things that happened before you were born is to remain a child.'' If the goal of Constitution Day is realized, our Nation's schoolchildren will grow into engaged adult citizens.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September 11.

http://thomas.loc.gov/