“The Constitutional Convention and the Miracle of Democracy” is the title of the Constitution Day lecture to be presented by Richard Dreyfuss on Saturday, Sept. 17, at 6 p.m. at the Robert C. Byrd Center for Legislative Studies.

Dreyfuss will describe the debates and explain the compromises involved in crafting the U.S. Constitution at the Philadelphia Convention of 1787. He will emphasize the importance of the Constitution for American democracy today. A discussion and reception will follow. The program is free and open to the public.

Dreyfuss has appeared in television, theatre and films for 45 years. He is best known for roles in “American Graffiti,” “Jaws” and “The Goodbye Girl,” for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1978.

Dreyfuss now devotes his time and talents to The Dreyfuss Initiative, which aims to encourage, elevate and enhance the teaching of civics in American schools.

He has become a spokesperson on the issue of media informing policy, legislation and public opinion, both speaking and writing to express his sentiments in favor of privacy, freedom of speech, democracy and individual accountability.

For more information on The Dreyfuss Initiative visit www.thedreyfussinitiative.org.