Pick up a newspaper anywhere in the country and the headlines will confirm that the United States Constitution is still centrally important to the everyday lives of Americans. From the First Amendment issues related to the controversy over the potential site of a mosque near Ground Zero in New York, to the legal rights of those held in Guantanamo Bay, to the rights and responsibilities of immigrants in our country, the U.S. Constitution forms the basis of the democracy in which we all live.
To celebrate Constitution and Citizenship Day - created by an act of Congress in 2004 and celebrated each year on September 17th - The New York State Bar Association, its Law, Youth and Citizenship (LYC) committee and other partners, have created a website,www.nysba.org/ConstitutionDay, which is packed with a wealth of resources to help educators, civic groups and parents create meaningful and engaging activities and lesson plans to commemorate this important day.
"On September 17, 1787, when our forefathers adopted the Constitution of the United States of America, they created the framework of one of the most important governing documents in all history," said State Bar Association President Stephen P. Younger. "Amended only 27 times in its 223-year history, our Constitution is the living, breathing cornerstone for the greatest democracy in the world. In offering the Constitution Day website, the State Bar Association, under the leadership of James Hanlon and the LYC committee, has created an outstanding resource that will provide our next generation of leaders with a greater understanding of their government and the important role that citizenship plays in building a strong democratic society."
Mr. Hanlon, of Clarence, New York and chair of the Law, Youth and Citizenship committee, added, "As a teacher and lawyer, I am committed to helping school-age children all across the country understand the Constitution and how it shapes their lives. Constitution Day is an excellent opportunity for teachers and parents to introduce - or perhaps, reintroduce - this remarkable document to young people. The LYC Constitution Day website is filled with engaging, fun and informative activities that highlight different aspects of the Constitution. I urge teachers, parents, and all Americans to visit the website to see all it has to offer."
The State Bar's Law, Youth and Citizenship committee, along with a large network of New York civic and law-related education teachers, has assisted educators for over three decades in securing Constitution-related resources and training.