This legal document, executed on September 17, 1787 rescued the Perpetual Union of the United States from the brink of collapse under its first constitution, The Articles of Confederation.  Additionally, these words have and still remain the foundation of all U.S. law thereby ensuring Freedom and the existence of the Perpetual Union of United States of America for 218 years.   

Foundations of Freedom™ is part of an initiative of U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd, who I opposed for the U.S. Senate in 1994 as the Republican Nominee, to restore history to its rightful place in America’s schools.  In conjunction with this program federal legislation was passed notifying:

“Each educational institution receiving Federal funds from the U.S. Department of Education that a new statutory requirement for implementation of an educational program pertaining to the United States Constitution, on a date designated by statute.”

Specifically the Congressional initiative states in Section 111(b): 

 “[e]ach educational institution that receives Federal funds for a fiscal year shall hold an educational program on the United States  Constitution on September 17 of such year for the students served by the educational institution.'' For purposes of the Department's implementation of this requirement, ``educational institutions'' includes but is not limited to ``local educational agencies'' and ``institutions of higher education'' receiving Federal funding from the Department.”

 Section 111 also requires that:

“Constitution Day be held on September 17 of each year, commemorating the September 17, 1787 signing of the Constitution. However, when September 17 falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, Constitution Day shall be held during the preceding or following week.”

I am most honored that Wheeling Jesuit University and The Center for Educational Technologies, who created the Foundations of Freedom™  curriculum, have invited me to Keynote the first U.S. Constitution Day Celebration on September 15, 2005 as prescribed by an Act of Congress.

Thanks to the diligent efforts of Robert C. Byrd and many supporting patriots, September 17, 1787 is now officially U.S. Constitution Day.  The celebration of the U.S. Constitution will begin first at Educational Institutions throughout the United States; but eventually its wisdom will touch the hearts and minds of all Americans. The end result will be a yearly celebration of what most historians agree to be the most monumental moment and significant date in U.S. History.   

U.S. Constitution Day Celebration
September 15, 2005

Activities Planned for Constitution Celebration     

 Constitution Day, set for Thursday, Sept. 15, celebrates the anniversary of the Constitution's signing in 1787. 

Due to an overwhelming response from area schools, all Constitution Day activities will take place at the McDonough Center.      

Doors will open at 9:30 a.m. with a film, "The Constitution Touches. Each of Us Personally." Rev. Joseph R. Hacala, S.J. and Davitt McAteer will offer the welcome and introductory remarks at 9:50. 

The morning activities kick off at 10 a.m. at the NTTC Auditorium, where keynote speaker Stanley L. Klos, renowned historian and author, will share his historical documents exhibit with the audience as part of his presentation "President Who? The Forgotten Constitution."    The Klos Family Historic Constitutional Exhibit, privately owned by Marie and Stanley Klos, will be open to all attendees.  The highlights include the First Public Printing of the U.S. Constitution of 1787, Virginia Signer George Washington autographed letter, Virginia Signer John Blair autographed 1774 Virginia Currency, and Virginia Signer James Madison letter signed. 

Gerry Reilly, director of West Virginia Independence Hall, will  present "Is West Virginia Really a State: The Constitutionality of the  West Virginia Statehood Process" at 10:30, followed by a scholar's panel  discussion at 11:15 on how to re-engage students in the study of American  history and the Constitution. Patrick Cassidy, Esq., will serve as  moderator, and the panel will include Dr. Ray Smock, John P. Bailey,  Esq., Dr. Jill Kriesky, Dr. Joseph Laker and Regina Scotchie. 

The afternoon events and children's activities kick off at 12:15 p.m., when volunteers will read segments of the U.S. Constitution. Guests also can sign a virtual Constitution replica, meet President Lincoln, President Washington, Chief Justice Marshall and other "living historians."     At 1:45 p.m., Dr. Ray Smock of the Byrd Center for Legislative  Studies will present "Real American Idols-The Making of the National  Constitution Center's Signers' Hall Exhibit." 

Rev. Brian O'Donnell, S.J., Ph.D., will wrap up the day's events with a presentation entitled "18th Century Appalachia and the Constitution” 

Exhibits and other displays associated with Constitution Day will be housed in the lobby of the McDonough Center. Hot dogs and beverages will be available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.