Secretary of State
Workgroup on Civic Literacy Celebrates Constitution Day

(Frankfort, KY) - With the anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution just around the corner, school children across the country will focus a portion of their classes this week on the Constitution and the role that it plays in the lives of American citizens.  The Kentucky Workgroup on Civic Literacy is encouraging all Kentucky citizens to take a moment this week to reflect on the Constitution and the liberties that it provides for each American.

 The “U.S. Constitution Day,” which commemorates the September 17, 1787 signing of the Constitution, will be held this year on September 16, 2005.  The day, created by Congress in 2004, focuses attention on one of the greatest documents in American history.  Congress passed legislation establishing the day in order to make students more aware of their government and how the Constitution still applies to their lives.  New federal legislation authored by Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia requires that on Constitution Day, schools receiving federal funds present a program on the Constitution.

 “We are delighted that Congress recognizes the importance of civics in American education,” stated Secretary of State Trey Grayson, chairman of the workgroup.  “We encourage citizens, young and old, to take time to reflect on the Constitution and to learn more about its impact upon us.”

 To help citizens study the Constitution, the Workgroup created a resources page on its website.  There, visitors can find a variety of information about the Constitution including links to lesson plans, videos, and other educational materials and interactive tools.  The resources come from a variety of sources including the Center for Civic Education, the National Constitution Center, and Kentucky Educational Television’s new EncylcoMedia, among a host of others. 

 Kentucky leaders also plan to celebrate the “birthday” of the U.S. Constitution this Friday at the State Capitol where they will be joined by area school children.  The celebration will take place on the capitol lawn in front of the state Capitol in Frankfort, KY at 1:15 p.m.  Dignitaries expected to attend include Chief Justice Joseph Lambert, Senator Jack Westwood, Representative Tanya Pullin, and Secretary Grayson.

The Kentucky Workgroup on Civic Literacy leads the nationally recognized Civic Literacy Initiative of Kentucky (CLIK), a multi-year effort that will determine a strategy for enhancing long-term civic engagement and literacy within the Commonwealth.  To find out more information about the CLIK or about the Constitution Day resources, please visit http://civicsky.nku.edu.

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