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Mayor signs Constitution Week Proclamation

By Staff | Sep 20, 2013

Shepherdstown Mayor Jim Auxer signed a proclamation on Thursday, Sept. 5 declaring Sept. 17-23, 2013, as Constitution Week.

To commemorate the week-long observance, committee members will distribute posters and 500 copies of the Constitution and Declaration of Independence to teachers at six schools in Jefferson County. Committee members have created an exhibit entitled “Extraordinary Men: The Signers of the Declaration of Independence” that will be displayed in the window of Dickinson and Wait Craft Gallery on German Street in Shepherdstown. They also will ring church bells at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 17 to signify the signing of the Constitution 226 years ago.

The tradition of celebrating Constitution Week was begun by the Daughters of the American Revolution when they petitioned Congress to set aside the week of Sept. 17-23 each year. The resolution was adopted by Congress and signed into law Aug. 2, 1956, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. In 2004, U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd from West Virginia introduced a bill that mandates that all colleges and K-12 schools receiving Federal funding teach a lesson on the U. S. Constitution.

Constitution Week is the perfect opportunity to read and study this great document, which is the safeguard of our American liberties. We encourage all citizens to take time during this week to reflect on our great heritage.

The Daughters of the American Revolution is a nonprofit, nonpolitical volunteer women’s service organization dedicated to preserving American history, securing America’s future through better education, and promoting patriotism. To learn more about the work of today’s DAR, visit www.DAR.org.