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Along
with Acting Mayor John Burkett are DAR members:
Caroline Petitjean, Helen Wright,
Brenda Arnett, Karen Burkett and
Betty Brodrick
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DAR Promotes
Constitution Week
In recognition of Constitution Week, Greenville Acting Mayor John
Burkett signed a Constitution Week Proclamation in the presence of Fort
GreeneVille Chapter DAR members.
There are two documents of paramount importance to American history:
the Declaration of Independence, which forged our national identity,
and the United States Constitution, which set forth the framework for
the federal government that is still in use today. While Independence
Day is a beloved national holiday, fewer people know about Constitution
Week, an annual commemoration of the living document that upholds and
protects the freedoms central to our American way of life. This year,
the annual celebration begins September 17, 2016.
The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) initiated the observance
in 1955, when the organization petitioned the U.S. Congress to dedicate
September 17–23 of each year to the commemoration of Constitution Week.
Congress adopted the resolution, and on August 2, 1956, President
Dwight D. Eisenhower signed it into Public Law #915. The celebration’s
goals are threefold: to encourage the study of the historical events
that led to the framing of the Constitution in September 1787; to
inform people that the Constitution is the basis of America’s great
heritage and the foundation of our way of life; and to emphasize U.S.
citizens’ responsibility to protect, defend and preserve the
Constitution.
DAR has been the foremost advocate for the awareness, promotion and
celebration of Constitution Week. This annual observance provides
innumerable opportunities for educational initiatives and community
outreach, two mission areas of crucial importance to the National
Society’s work. By fostering knowledge of and appreciation for the
Constitution and the inalienable rights it affords to all Americans,
DAR helps to keep alive the memory of the men and women who secured our
nation’s independence, whose bravery and sacrifice made possible the
liberties we enjoy today.
“The framers created a Constitution that translated into law the ideals
upon which our nation was built,” said DAR President General Ann
Dillon. “Their vision was so forward thinking that their words still
guide us today. No American history education can be complete without a
thorough understanding of the impact the Constitution has had on the
lives of American citizens past and present.”
One of the largest patriotic women’s organizations in the world, DAR
has more than 185,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters across
the country and even in numerous foreign countries. DAR strives to
promote historic preservation, education and patriotism via
commemorative events, scholarships and educational initiatives,
citizenship programs, service to veterans, meaningful community
service, and more. For additional information about DAR and its
programs, visit www.dar.org.
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