(L-R) are Dana Hooven, Student Government President; Dr. Rice; and Kathy R. Morris, DAR Regent. Standing (L-R) are Bridget Fitzpatrick, Student Trustee; Janice Hall, DAR Registrar; Brooklyn Beckham, Student Government Vice President; Sharon L. Tanner, DAR Vice Regent and Constitution Week Chair; and Rachel Mace, Student Government Secretary.
Southeastern Illinois College President, Dr. Jonah Rice signed a proclamation designating Sept. 17 – Sept. 23, 2016, as Constitution Week throughout the college district. This year marks the 229th anniversary of the drafting of the Constitution of the United States of America by the Constitutional Convention.
Members of the Michael Hillegas Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and members of the SIC Student Government were present for the signing.
According to the DAR website www.DAR.org, “The tradition of celebrating the Constitution was started by the Daughters of the American Revolution. In 1955, DAR petitioned Congress to set aside September 17-23 annually to be dedicated for the observance of Constitution Week. The resolution was later adopted by the US Congress and signed into public law on August 2, 1956, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.”
SIC student ambassadors recognize Constitution Week with a special exhibit that can be viewed in A/B lobby, where miniature copies of the Constitution provided by DAR are available. Posters, exhibits and a copy of the proclamation are also on display at the Harrisburg District Library, Shawneetown Library, and the Eldorado Memorial Library.
The proclamation asks U.S. citizens to reaffirm the ideals the framers of the constitution had in 1787 by vigilantly protecting the freedoms guaranteed to us through this guardian of our liberties, remembering that lost rights may never be regained.
For additional information about Constitution Week, please visit www.DAR.org.
