On the 17th day of September, 226 years ago, the Framers signed their names to the U.S. Constitution. In 1787, the Framers met to establish a new form of government and develop its constitution. They wanted to ensure that the government would be just and protect its citizens from internal strife and outside attack. The Framers wanted to create a national government that was effective but did not infringe upon the rights of individuals or the States. Our Constitution has proven to be an unquestionable success, and it remains the oldest written constitution currently in effect. It is a document that some, including the Framers, thought was imperfect, yet it remains the framework for our representative democracy and has endured through periods of prosperity and difficulty. It is a document that has been amended 27 times and yet remains the foundation of our Nation and the blueprint of our national identity—an elegant work possessing both strength and flexibility. We continue to benefit from the far-seeing wisdom of the Bill of Rights, the separation of powers, access to the courts, the right to criticize, and the right to practice our religious beliefs. In December 2004, President George W. Bush signed legislation establishing September 17 of each year as Constitution Day, in remembrance of the day in 1787 when the U.S. Constitution was signed. Today, on Constitution Day, we celebrate a document that forever enshrined the rule of law as a cornerstone of the American experiment. The Constitution created a new form of government, one intended to establish justice, ensure the safety of its citizens, and promote the country’s general welfare. To that end, the Framers created a system of checks and balances to ensure that the pursuit of a more perfect union was continually weighed against the rights of individuals and the States. It is important that we, as Federal employees, understand the history and purpose of the Constitution we have sworn to uphold, protect, and defend. The Constitution has enabled us to enjoy the freedoms of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness through more than two centuries of political change, social transformation, and economic challenge.
Posted on: Tue, 17 Sep 2013 15:00:46 +0000
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