Constitution Day Celebrated with Bells in Crockett
*Above picture; Crockett Mayor Dr. Ianthia Fisher proclaimed Sept. 17 – 23 as “Constitution Week” and presented it to members of the Major Jarrell Beasley Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, Patricia Hicks, Regent; Kathie Prestera, Vice Regent; Peggy Steadman, Chaplain; Tonya Allen, Treasurer; and Patti Tyer, Corresponding Secretary.
By Greg Ritchie
Messenger Reporter
CROCKETT – Communities throughout the nation will be celebrating the spirit and meaning of the country’s Constitution beginning Sept. 17. On this day in 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, 39 delegates at the Constitutional Convention signed the Constitution of the United States of America.
Nearly 170 years later, in 1955, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) spearheaded an effort to set aside one week annually when Americans could celebrate this iconic signing. After petitioning Congress to set aside the week of Sept. 17 – 23, on Aug. 2, 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed Constitution Week into law. Local chapters of NSDAR celebrate with many events to honor this founding document.
Wednesday, Sept. 13, Crockett Mayor Dr. Ianthia Fisher signed a proclamation to designate September 17 – 23 as “Constitution Week” and presented it to members of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
The proclamation read:
“WHEREAS, The Constitution of the United States of America, the guardian of our liberties, embodies the principles of limited government in a Republic dedicated to rule by law; and
WHEREAS, September 17, 2023, marks the two hundred thirty sixth anniversary of the framing of the Constitution of the United States of America of the Constitutional Convention; and
WHEREAS, It is fitting and proper to accord official recognition to this magnificent document and its memorable anniversary, and to the patriotic celebrations which will commemorate it; and WHEREAS, Public Law 915 guarantees the issuing of a proclamation each year by the President of the United States of America designating September 17 through 23 as Constitution Week. THEREFORE, I, Dr. Ianthia Fisher, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor of the City of Crockett, Texas do hereby proclaim the week of September 17 through 23 as: “CONSTITUTION WEEK” and ask our 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. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the City of Crockett to be affixed at Crockett, Texas this 13th day of September in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-three.”
Celebrations begin with Bells Across America, on Sept. 17, when bells across the country are rung simultaneously at 3 p.m. The week also features displays in schools, libraries and other community locations; Proclamation signings, educational presentations in schools or in public, broadcast interviews and outdoor signage.
Join us in ringing the bells Sept. 17 at 3 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church at 701 East Goliad, Crockett. For more information, contact the Major Jarell Beasley Chapter at [email protected] or the national website of the Daughters of the American Revolution, www.dar.org.
Greg Ritchie can be reached at [email protected]
