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We The People of the
United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice,
insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the
general welfare, and secure the blessing of liberty to ourselves and our
posterity, do ordain and establish this, Constitution for the United States
of America. –Preamble to the U.S. Constitution
We The People of Wesleyan University observed Constitution Day with a
series of events Sept. 15-16.
Wesleyan’s observance is part of a nation-wide observance the U.S.
Department of Education has mandated for all educational programs in all
federally funded institutions. President George W. Bush signed into law on
Dec. 8, 2004, Public Law 108-447, which established Sept.17th as
Constitution Day. Wesleyan will celebrate it on Sept. 15-16.
Barbara Jones, university librarian, coordinated the events (see
sidebar).
Libraries, Jones says, are under a great deal of pressure in regard to
protecting the constitutional rights of library users.
“The Wesleyan University Library is dedicated to providing its users access
to information expressing a variety of points of view, including those views
that some of us might find despicable,” she says. “We are also dedicated to
protecting the privacy of library users, so that in their search for
knowledge, nobody is looking over their shoulder.”
Along with the events at Wesleyan, General Tommy Franks lead the U.S.
Constitution’s Preamble at 2 p.m. Sept. 16 on radio, television and via www.constitutionday.com. The celebration ended with bells ringing across
America led from the Carillon on the grounds of the Freedoms Foundation at
Valley Forge, Penn. where George Washington fought the Revolutionary War.
By
Olivia Bartlett, The Wesleyan Connection
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Honor the Day
Wesleyan honored Constitution Day Sept. 15-16 with a series
of events.
Thursday, Sept. 15
Noon - Discussion by Paul Finkelman, professor of law
at the University of Tulsa held an informal discussion with Wesleyan's new
Pre-Law Society. Kim Kubat, assistant director of the Career Resource Center
organized the event. Olin Library’s Develin Room.
1 p.m. - Neely Bruce, professor of music, performed Bill of
Rights followed by an announcement of the formation of Wesleyan's new Pre-Law
Society. Olin Library Lobby.
4 p.m. - Discussion on the Separation of Church and State by Paul Finkelman,
professor of Law at University of Tulsa. Modest reception followed. Olin
Library’s Smith Reading Room.
Friday, Sept. 16
Noon - Neely Bruce performed “Bill of Rights” with more than two dozen
singers. Memorial Chapel. This is the first of the new Friday lunch-time concert
series co-sponsored by the Music Department and the Center for the Arts.
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