Will the US Constitution Survive?

The buzz is plentiful on the subject of a Constitutional Convention being called. The last one was in 1787. What's up?

Read the story.

If a new Constitutional Convention is called, the freedoms for which our American patriots fought for may be in question.

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Living Under the Constitution

"To live under the American Constitution is the greatest political privilege that was ever accorded to the human race." - Calvin Coolidge

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Constitution and Restraint of Government

"No one can read our Constitution without concluding that the people who wrote it wanted their government severely limited; the words 'no' and 'not' employed in restraint of government power occur 24 times in the first seven articles of the Constitution and 22 more times in the Bill of Rights."
-- Edmund A. Opitz

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Quote on The Two Parties and the Constitution

"There is nothing which I dread so much as a division of the republic into two great parties, each arranged under its leader, and concerting measures in opposition to each other. This, in my humble opinion, is to be dreaded as the greatest political evil under our Constitution."
-- John Adams

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Vote November 4th- It's a Constitutional Amendment

The US Constitution is the oldest Constitution and still in active use in the world today and is
the basic document of our Republic, which protects the individual liberties of all citizens
through written law.

Did you know that you cannot be denied the right to vote because of race or
gender? But remember, the Constitution never clearly ensures us the “right to vote”.

The 26th Amendment requires that 18 year-olds must be able to vote, however states can allow persons younger than 18 to vote if they chose. The qualifications for voters are left to the states as long as they do not conflict with in the Constitution. In some states, felons that are in prison or on probation are denied the right to vote.

This Constitution Moment brought to you by the James Waldrop Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution in Fayetteville, GA.

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Free Illustrated Book on U.S. Constitution Now Available Online

(BUSINESS WIRE)--A free online book describing The U.S. Constitution, the men who wrote it and the new freedom it created to a burgeoning nation is now available through The Point 94.1, a Classic Rock radio station in Little Rock, Arkansas, at: www.point941.com.

“With the upcoming presidential election and recently the ‘Constitution Day’ in September, the interest in the political process is strong,” said station owner and general manager, Philip Jonsson. “Adventure Tales of the Constitution of the United States uses illustration, humor and drama to convey what has been confusing to many of us in prior elections.”

The 56-page book was written by Jody Potts, Ph.D., a historian at Southern Methodist University and a specialist in left and right brain learning techniques. In full color and vividly illustrated, this innovative textbook features a text/illustration format proven to help students learn faster, remember longer, and score higher on tests.

Adventure Tales of the Constitution of the United States (Signal Media Publishers) covers the Confederation Period, The Constitutional Convention, key documents such as the Declaration of Independence, The Constitution of the United States, Anti-Federalist and Federalist writings, as well as landmark Supreme Court decisions.

Click here to view the book.

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I Will Support and Defend the Constitution....

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Each president of the United States recites the oath of office in accordance with Article II, Section I of the U.S. Constitution. As America's first president, George Washington was the first to proclaim these words on April 30, 1789, on the balcony of Federal Hall in New York City.

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President Jefferson Visits Fayetteville DAR

The third president of the United States made a surprise visit to the James Waldrop Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution this week in Fayetteville, Georgia. President Thomas Jefferson, portrayed by Tom Robinson, took the ladies back in time to the writing of the Declaration of Independence and to the time of his Presidency.

Thomas Jefferson was not known for his public speaking, but was known for his writings. His most prominent document was his draft of the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson, one of five men who were selected by the Continental Congress in 1776 to draft the document to declare the colonies' independence from England, is considered one of the principal authors of this historic document. The final vote for independence came on July 4, 1776.

Thomas Jefferson first ran for president against John Adams in 1797. Adams won the election and Jefferson became the Vice President. At that early time in our country's history, the candidate who did not win the Presidential election became the 2nd in command.

In 1801, Jefferson successfully won his bid for president and served his country in that role for eight years. Jefferson fulfilled his dream to live to the 50th anniversary of the United States declaration and died on July 4, 1826.

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Electoral College and Political Party Votes

The Constitution neither prohibits nor encourages that the President and the Vice President be
from the same party. They are voted on separately in the Electoral College; so theoretically, the
President and Vice President could be from different parties.

This Constitution Moment brought to you by the James Waldrop Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution in Fayetteville, Georgia.

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Fayetteville DAR Speaks to Inman Elementary about Constitution

James Waldrop Regent Betty Harrah pledges her support to U.S. Constitution with Inman Elementary School Principal Louis Robinson.

Over 200 4th and 5th grade students of Inman Elementary School in Fayetteville recently learned about the U.S. Constitution in a presentation by the James Waldrop Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution. After the presentation, the students added their signatures pledging their support of the Constitution to the over 1000 pledges already gathered by the chapter in visits to Fayette County Elementary Schools in September . The U.S. Constitution, the world's oldest document of its kind still in existence, just celebrated 221 years of its framing.

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Kedron Elementary School Celebrates Constiution Week

Pictured are Sylvia Nolde, Fayette- Starr's Mill DAR Constitution Week Chair and Margie Ausborn, Kedron Media Specialist.

Kedron Elementary School received a certificate of appreciation from the Daughters of the American Revolution for participation in Constitution Week activities. Kedron also received a donation of book from the DAR on American history and the Constitution.

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Georgia State Senator Ronnie Chance Speaks to Georgia DAR

Senator Chance is welcomed to the Constitution Week Luncheon in Peachtree City by Georgia State Society DAR Regent Barbara Blakely Chastain and Georgia State Society DAR Constitution Week Chairman Betty B. Harrah.

Georgia State Senator Ronnie Chance spoke to the Georgia State Society Daughters of the American Revolution in honor of Constitution Day. Chance gave an eloquent speech on the Constitution and also spoke about Button Gwinnett's role in United States History to the 120 guests at the DAR Constitution Week luncheon. For more information on the DAR, visit www.dar.org.

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Honor Flight Fayette Day Proclaimed October 8

CC Note: These men and women, the veterans of World War II, proudly fought for the U.S. Constitution. These brave patriots are indeed the Greatest Generation. Remember to pause and give thanks to all of America's veterans.

At their September 25th meeting, the Fayette County Commissioners honored the upcoming and 2nd flight organized by Honor Flight Fayette to send World War II veterans to Washington, D.C., at no charge to them, to visit their memorial and share memories with their comrades in arms from that war.

Plans have been in the works for this trip literally since the return of the inaugural flight of HFF last May. Board members, guardians, medical personnel and volunteers have worked consistently to raise the necessary funds needed to make this trip a memorable one for the veterans, who will be provided with plane tickets, meals, snacks, and motor coach transportation. Also, a guardian will be assigned 2-3 veterans for the day, and their job is to make sure that each and every need of the vets is being met.

The public is encouraged to participate in this exciting day by either seeing the veterans off at 7:00 a.m., or welcoming them back about 10:00 that evening at the Fayetteville First United Methodist Church. The veterans from the May trip were very touched by those who came out to honor them, in their own community, by cheering and waving flags and banners.

As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization led by a dedicated board of directors, Honor Flight Fayette (Georgia) is committed to this labor of love and determination to take as many veterans as possible as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, we are losing these brave men and women at a rate of over 1,400 per day, so time is definitely of the essence. And we must ask ourselves, "at what cost did they secure my freedoms and how can I repay them?"

If you would like to know more about this organization or make a donation toward the next flight, please visit honorflightfayette.org or call 770-719-1024.

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Constitution Reflections- Part 2

Watch Part 2 of the educational video on the Constitution.

Learn more about the ratification of the Constitution as the DAR talks to children. Hear what the 3rd grade students had to say about the Constitution. Recite the preamble.

This Constitution Moment Brought to you by the James Waldrop Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution. The chapter is chartered in Fayetteville, Fayette County, Georgia.

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Senator Chance Reflects on Constitution and Georgia for Fayetteville DAR

Pictured (l-r) are Georgia Senator Ronnie Chance, Regent Betty Harrah and Linda Robinson.

"I am a servant of the people in your Senate," said Georgia Senator Ronnie Chance as he recently spoke to the James Waldrop Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution on the US Constitution and Georgia government. Senator Chance was honored with a Certificate of Appreciation for his ongoing support of the Constitution in both his personal and government service roles.

On display at the dinner meeting was the 2007 National Award Winning Constitution Week Notebook as well as bells used in the Bells Across America Ceremony. The James Waldrop Chapter DAR is chartered in Fayetteville, GA.

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Bells Across America in Fayette County Georgia

Carolyn Balog and James Waldrop Chapter DAR Regent Betty Harrah

The James Waldrop Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution joined in the Bells Across America Celebration on September 17 as the country celebrated the 221st anniversary of the signing of the US Constitution. Over 2 dozen local citizens, DAR members and SAR members rang bells for two minutes in honor of the signing. A 6 foot long scroll with over 500 names of local citizens who have pledged support of the Constitution over the last month was on display. The Marquis de Lafayette Chapter Sons of the American Revolution provided a musket salute.

The James Waldrop Chapter DAR is chartered in Fayetteville, GA.

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Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, Constitution Week, 2008

Note: Today is the 221st anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution.
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A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

Americans are united by the ideals of equal justice, limited government, and the rule of law. On Constitution Day and Citizenship Day and during Constitution Week, we remember the vision and determination of the Framers to build a free society, and we celebrate the historical document they created to achieve that goal.

More than two centuries ago, our Founding Fathers gathered in Philadelphia and produced a charter that would promote justice and preserve the liberty of all our citizens. The Founders established three separate branches of Government with a system of checks and balances among them. Ours is the oldest written constitution in the world, and the American experiment remains the world's best hope for freedom.

The Constitution forged the American creed of liberty and equality and has lifted the lives of countless individuals. Whether they are citizens by birth or by oath, Americans share a great tradition of enjoying liberty protected by a constitutional government of their choosing.

On Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, and during Constitution Week, Americans come together and recognize the blessings bestowed upon our great Nation. On this occasion we celebrate the courage of the Constitution's drafters and recommit ourselves to making the United States a more perfect union.

In recognition of the signing of the Constitution and of Americans who strive to fulfill 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, 2008, as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, and September 17 through September 23, 2008, 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 this great Nation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventeenth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

GEORGE W. BUSH

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Reflecting on the Constitution- A Video

Watch Part 1 of an educational video on Constitution Week. Learn about the Constitution and the DAR. Listen to US Representative Lynn Westmoreland talk about the Constitution.


Brought to you by the James Waldrop Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, Fayetteville, GA.

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Valdosta State Holds Constitutional Debate September 19

The political science and history departments at Valdosta State University will host a constitutional debate at 3:30 p.m. in West Hall room 150.

In celebration of Constitution Day, student panels will debate constitutional issues, including the death penalty for juveniles and gun control.

The free event is open to all members of VSU and local communities.

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Celebrate Constitution Day on Wednesday, September 17, 2008 with Georgia State University

On Wednesday, September 17, 2008, The Georgia State University community will celebrate Constitution Day at Noon in the Speakers Auditorium of the Student Center.

The United States Constitution was adopted on September 17, 1787, by the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and later ratified by conventions in each state.

The program will be hosted by Casy Walker, Miss Georgia State University. The colors will be posted by Panther Battalion Army ROTC Color Guard. The Student Government Association will make a special presentation about the Voice Your Choice voting campaign. Professor L. Lynn Hogue of Georgia State University’s College of Law will present on the importance of being knowledgeable about the Constitution. The program will conclude with a recitation of the Preamble of the Constitution.

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Fayetteville Intermediate School Learns About the Constitution from DAR

The fourth and fifth graders at Fayetteville Intermediate School learned about the Constitution from the James Waldrop Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution in a special Constitution Week program. To conclude the presentation, the children read the Preamble to the Constitution and waited in line to pledge their support to the Constitution, which turns 221 years old on September 17.

Pictured (l-r) are Regent Betty Harrah and Carol Key of Fayetteville.

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Fayette County Commissioners Proclaim September 17-23 as Constitution Week

The Fayette County Commissioners recently proclaimed September 17-23 as Constitution Week in Fayette County. Commissioner Jack Smith presented the proclamation to the James Waldrop Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution of Fayetteville and thanked the ladies for their commitment to education, promoting patriotism and preserving American history. Enthusiastic clapping of the audience showed citizen support to the Proclamation.

The James Waldrop Chapter reminds Fayette County of the "Bells Across America" ceremony to be held September 17th at the old Fayette County Courthouse lawn at noon. Pictured (l-r) are: Phyllis King, Jeffre Ray, Bonnie Bolin, Susan Sloan, Constitution Week Chairman Ann Eldredge, James Waldrop Chapter DAR Regent Betty Harrah, and Commissioner Jack Smith.

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Quotes to Ponder

"Don't interfere with anything in the Constitution. That must be maintained, for it is the only safeguard of our liberties." - Abraham Lincoln

“The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government - lest it come to dominate our lives and interests.” -Patrick Henry

"The Constitution is the one guide which I will never abandon." -George Washington

This Constitution Moment is brought to you by the James Waldrop Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, of Fayetteville, Georgia.

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Constitution Day Celebration at University of West Georgia Planned for September 17

The University of West Georgia and the Ingram Library will honor Constitution Day on Wednesday, Sept. 17, with a reception and intriguing dialogue about government, democracy and the Constitution.

The event is free and the community is invited to attend Dr. Robert M. Schaefer, professor and chair of the Department of Political Science and Planning, will lecture on “The American Constitution: A Celebratory Address (with an Admonition)” at 11 a.m. on the main floor of the library.

The presentation will focus on the establishment of American republic and the difficulty of preserving a constitution. Schaefer said the admonition is serious yet not preachy.

“This will be a political oration on behalf of the Constitution,” said Schaefer. “And to talk about the Constitution you have to talk about Rome, Athens and the difficultly of founding a good regime. The Constitution is fundamental to every aspect of our lives and it is important for citizens to give thought about what the Constitution means to this country.”

Constitution Day commemorates Sept. 17, 1787, which is the day the Constitutional Convention delegates signed the document. A federal law passed in 2004 requires all educational institutions that receive federal funds to observe Constitution Day.

Each year, the president issues a proclamation encouraging government officials and educational organizations to celebrate the ratification of the U.S. Constitution and reaffirm the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship.

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Constitution Moment

The Constitution is the cornerstone of our government. It ensures that no one entity of government can be over powerful.

The Constitution provides for three separate arms of our government: the Judicial, the Executive and the Legislative.

Read the Constitution. Learn more about the government the framers developed 221 years ago.



This Constitution Moment was provided by the James Waldrop Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, of Fayetteville, GA.

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"It's My Right"

Have you ever heard the phrase, "That's unconstitutional" or "That's my constitutional right!"? Many times American citizens believe sayings and phrases are in our Constitution, but they really don't know if they are or not.

Let us celebrate Constitution Week September 17 – 23, by resolving to be better-informed and responsible citizens. Read the Constitution!

This Constitutional moment was provided by the James Waldrop Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, of Fayetteville, Georgia.

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Is There a Memorial Honoring the U. S. Constitution?

The answer to this questions may surprise you. There is one building which is named as a memorial to the U. S. Constitution in Washington, DC. The inscription on the pediment reads,
“Constitution Hall – a memorial to that immortal document, the Constitution of the United States, in which are incorporated the principles of freedom, equality and justice for which our forefathers strove.”

Constitution Hall is owned by the Daughters of the American Revolution, the world's largest women's service organization.

This Constitution moment brought to you by the James Waldrop Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, Fayetteville, GA.

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Fayette County Citizens Have Opportunity to Pledge Support to the Constitution

Pictured is Stephen McMinn who was one of the first Fayette County citizens to pledge his support.

Drop by the Fayette County Public Library in Fayetteville and pledge your support to the U. S. Constitution in honor of the 221st anniversary of the signing of the U. S. Constitution.

The exhibit runs through the end of September and is sponsored by the James Waldrop Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution. The James Waldrop Chapter,chartered in 2007 as the first Fayetteville chapter of the DAR, received a 2007 national award for their efforts in educating the public about the Constitution.

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Clayton State University Presents Fourth Annual Constitution Days

Clayton State University’s Fourth Annual celebration of Constitution Days will kick off on Monday, Sept. 8 and run through Friday, Sept. 19, with the help of the National Archives and Records Administration’s (NARA) Southeast Region, and a distinguished (and recently retired) professor of History.

As has become traditional, NARA will help Clayton State with its celebration of Constitution Day by contributing a collection of historical document reproductions on loan from NARA. These documents, including a reproduction of the Constitution, will be on display on Main Street in the James M. Baker University Center from Sept. 8 to Sept. 19. Also on display during Constitution Days will be an 18th Century Women’s Clothing display and the Women in the War for Independence display, both in the Clayton State Library.

NARA is also hosting an event on Wednesday, Sept. 17, when Dr. Jamil Zainaldin, president of the Georgia Humanities Council, will be giving a presentation at 10 a.m. Music for the occasion will be provided by Clayton State University students Stephen Odom, tenor and Wilgens Pierre, trumpet. Tours of the Southeast Region archives will follow the speech and boxed lunches will be provided. NARA is located just up the street from Clayton State at 5780 Jonesboro Rd., Morrow.

The University’s Constitution Days celebration will be keynoted by Dr. Eugene Hatfield, Clayton State professor of History (retired), whose address, “The Constitution and Civic Engagement,” will be given in room UC 272 of the James M. Baker Center from 2 p.m. to 2:50 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 15.

Other Constitution Days events will include the first New York Times Talk of the semester, on Tuesday, Sept. 9, in room UC 267 of the Baker Center, from 11:10 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. The talk will be on “Gun Rights and the Constitution: National and Local Implications of the Heller Case” and the discussion will be facilitated by Dean Dr. Nasser Momayezi of the Clayton State College of Arts & Sciences.

The University’s traditional reading of the Constitution will begin at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 18, in the Baker Center Commons. Clayton State President Dr. Thomas K. Harden will provide the introduction and the Color Guard for the program will be members of Clayton State University R.O.T.C. program. Patriotic music for the reading will be performed by Lianna Wimberly, mezzo-soprano and Wilgrens Pierre on the trumpet. Free copies of the Constitution will be provided and volunteer readers will receive a flag pin. A “Founding Fathers’ Constitutional Lunch” will be served by the Lakeside Cafe’ for the occasion.

Also scheduled for Monday, Sept. 15, to Friday, Sept. 19, will be a voter registration drive on Main Street of the Baker Center.

A unit of the University System of Georgia, Clayton State University is an outstanding comprehensive metropolitan university located 15 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta.
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Opinion: The U.S. Constitution and Georgia Men

"Hold on, my friends, to the Constitution and to the Republic for which it stands. Miracles do not cluster, and what has happened once in 6000 years, may not happen again. Hold on to the Constitution, for if the American Constitution should fail, there will be anarchy throughout the world."- Daniel Webster

As the United States of America gets ready to honor the 221st anniversary of the framing of the US Constitution, we, as Americans, should make it our goal to learn more about this legendary document. As children, our teachers taught us the basics of where the Constitution was written and who signed it from each state. We also learned about the Bill of Rights and the amendments.

Now, as adults, we start to realize the importance of this document in our lives. It provides the basis of the freedoms we enjoy. The freedom of speech, the freedom to worship, the right to bear arms, the right to vote are just a few of the many privileges we enjoy in America.

Who were the men who framed the Constitution? Who were the men who represented Georgia? How many men were elected to represent Georgia?

William Few (1748-1828) and Abraham Baldwin (1754-1807) are the two men of the state of Georgia who signed the Constitution in 1787. Did you know that a total of six Georgia men were appointed to attend the convention? Two of men did not attend and two others, William Leigh Pierce and William Houston, were not there for the majority of the debates.

Both Pierce and Houston were Georgia natives. Pierce made his home in Savannah and was a member of the Georgia House of Representatives. Pierce did participate in several debates on key points. He favored strengthening of the federal government as long as the states still retained some power. Pierce left the convention early as his business in Savannah suffered, and eventually went bankrupt. He died shortly after in 1789.

Born in Savannah, Houston enjoyed a childhood of privilege. His father was highly involved in the royal government of Georgia. He returned home to Georgia from his schooling in England when the Revolutionary War began. He is known for his belief in colonists' rights, and is one of the original trustees of the University of Georgia. Houston died in 1813.

The 55 men who attended the convention had much to say. These delegates, or deputies, were appointed by the legislatures of the 13 states. Some of the deputies left early as Pierce and Houston did. Others who were appointed to attend did not. Why? Was it not convenient? Was it a sense of not comprehending the importance of revising the Articles of Confederation? Was it a shirk of their duty? We don't know the answers. What we do know is the masterpiece document that these men framed.

The words of Benjamin Franklin, in a speech delivered to the convention in late June 1787, provide a glimpse for us: "....In these sentiments, Sir, I agree to this Constitution, with all its faults, — if they are such; because I think a general Government necessary for us, and there is no form of government but what may be a blessing to the people, if well administered; and I believe, farther, that this is likely to be well administered for a course of years, and can only end in despotism, as other forms have done before it, when the people shall become so corrupted as to need despotic government, being incapable of any other."

Could the framers have imagined the longevity of our Constitution?

Celebrate, American citizens. Read the Constitution. Honor the Constitution. Protect the Constitution.

Ann Eldredge

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Editor's Note: National Constitution Week is rapidly approaching. Kudos to the organizations who strive to increase our awareness of the Constitution, and a special kudos to the James Waldrop Chapter DAR of Fayetteville and Fayette County, whose endeavors with regards to educating the school children and adults has become well known and honored beyond our area. Take a few moments and view the videos released last year.

Part 1 Constitution Week Video
Part 2 Constitution Week Video

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Fayetteville Georgia Proclaims Constitution Week for September 17-23

Pictured (l-r) are Linda Robinson, Ann Eldredge and Mayor Ken Steele.

The City of Fayetteville proclaimed September 17-23 as Constitution Week at a recent City Council Meeting. Ann Eldredge, Constitution Week Chairman of the James Waldrop Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, commented that this year Americans celebrate the 221st anniversary of the signing of the U. S. Constitution. The James Waldrop Chapter DAR and the City of Fayetteville urge all citizens to reaffirm the ideals of the Constitution and to vigilantly protect the freedoms guaranteed to us through this guardian of our liberties, remembering that lost rights may never be regained.

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"Celebrating the Constitution" at the National Archives in Morrow

Article III, Section 3 of the United States Constitution

In September, 1865 the United States Circuit Court of Western Tennessee in Memphis issued a writ of Habeas Corpus charging Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest with treason.

The National Archives-Southeast Region will celebrate the anniversary of the signing of the United States Constitution on Wednesday, September 17, 2008, from 10:00-11:00 A.M. with an exciting program featuring readings, speeches, and a special document exhibit. "James Madison" (Former President and Founding Father as well as the Father of the Constitution) will join the National Archives staff in welcoming the public to this free event.

The National Archives, our nation's recordkeeper, is the official custodian of the original Constitution which is on permanent display in the Rotunda of the National Archives Building, located on Constitution Avenue between 7th and 9th Streets, NW, Washington, D.C.

The ceremony in the Southeast Region celebrates the world's oldest written national constitution still in effect. The completed document was accepted by the Constitutional Convention on September 15, 1787, and the final draft was signed on September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This date marks a milestone in our history.

Dr. Jamil S. Zainaldin, President of the Georgia Humanities Council will be the special guest speaker for the ceremony at the National Archives-Southeast Region. Zainaldin holds the BA in history from the University of Virginia and the PhD in history from the University of Chicago. He is a frequent writer and speaker on the importance of history, literature, ethics, and civic values.

After the formal program, guests are invited to view a display of original documents reflecting specific sections of the Constitution. Documents related to the indictments of Aaron Burr and Nathan Bedford Forrest for treason, filings in Federal court cases related to freedom of speech and the press, and numerous documents from the modern Civil Rights Movement related to the 14th and 15th amendments to the Constitution will be on display.

Following the ceremony, a complimentary light lunch will be served.

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Constitution Moment on the 5th Amendment

This message brought to you by the James Waldrop Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, Fayetteville, Georgia.

Our Constitution, the cornerstone of our Freedoms, was written to protect every American from
the abuse of power by government. The Fifth Amendment states that, "No person shall be ...
deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law” and it protects us from double
jeopardy and incrimination. However, the phrases “innocent until proven guilty" and
“presumption of innocence” are not found in the 5th amendment nor in any part of the
Constitution. These phrases derived from English law and are part of our system and
considered common law today.

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Privacy and the U. S. Constitution

This message is brought to you by the James Waldrop Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, which organized in 2007 in Fayetteville, Georgia.

American colonists fought, sacrificed and died to establish and preserve the freedoms now
guaranteed to us by the Constitution of the United States. The right to privacy has come to the
public's attention through various controversial Supreme Court rulings. Privacy is not
specifically mentioned in the Constitution, but over the years the Supreme Court has made
decisions that have established that the right to privacy is a basic human right and as such is
protected by virtue of the 9th Amendment.

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