Colquitt County Commission Chair Terry Clark, seated left, and Moultrie Mayor Bill McIntosh, seated center, signed a proclamation proclaiming Sept. 17-23 as Constitution Week in Moultrie and Colquitt County. The proclamation was presented by the John Benning Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, to promote the significance of this document in the daily lives of all Americans. DAR members present for the signing were, standing, Susan Turner and Faye Brock and, seated right, Regent Nancy Coleman.  

MOULTRIE, Ga. — 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 Sept. 17 and continues through Sept. 23.

“Most people don’t really understand that a lot of their daily lives is influenced by the Constitution,” said Nancy Coleman, regent of the John Benning chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. “It is the supreme law of the land and has stood the test of time for 231 years.”    

The Preamble to the Constitution states: “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 Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

The Constitution’s first three words — We the People — affirm that the government of the United States exists to serve its citizens, the DAR chapter said in a press release. Written in 1787, the Constitution was signed on Sept. 17, but it wasn’t until 1788 that it was ratified by the necessary nine of the original 13 states.   

In 1791, a list of individual rights was added that became known as The Bill of Rights.  These include freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press and the right to assembly.  Also included, among other things, were the right to bear arms, right to due process, and the right to a trial by jury.  More than 11,000 amendments have been introduced in Congress over the past 231 years. Thirty-three have gone to the states to be ratified and twenty-seven have received the necessary approval from the states to actually become amendments to the Constitution.

The local chapter of DAR is observing Constitution Week with a joint city-county proclamation signed by Mayor William McIntosh and County Commission Chairman Terry Clark.  The chapter also launched “History Rocks!” by placing rocks painted with phrases about the Constitution around town.  Painted Constitution rocks were also distributed to elementary schools.  The first student to find a rock on each campus will receive a prize donated by Chick-fil-A, the DAR’s press release said.  

“The objective of the painted rocks is to get school children to ask questions about the constitutional phrases on the rocks, like ‘Freedom of Speech’ and ‘Bill of Rights,’” said Coleman. “History can be educational and fun. History can rock.”  

One of the largest patriotic women’s organizations in the world, 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, contact the local chapter at moultriedar@gmail.com.