Spring Break
UConn Celebrates Constitution
Lectures, Discussions Held In Honor Of Constitution Week
Christopher Duray
Issue date: 9/21/06 Section: News
Two hundred and nineteen years ago from last Sunday, the United States Constitution was signed. In order to commemorate the birth of the oldest federal constitution in existence, the week of Sept. 17 was designated Constitution Week.
Because of an appreciation of history and a 2004 congressional mandate, UConn has held two events to honor the document.
On Monday, a panel discussion on the Fourth Amendment was held in Konover Auditorium and on Wednesday, Professor of Law and History Emeritus and author R. Kent Newmyer gave a speech titled, "The Supreme Court and the Living Constitution" at the UConn School of Social Works.
Constitution Week was started in December of 2004 when Congress, as part of a large spending bill, signed into law Senator Robert Byrd's requirement mandating that every American school receiving federal money would have to teach something about the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, Constitution Day.
President George W. Bush commented on the importance of Constitution Week in a press release from www.whitehouse.gov.
"The Constitution established the enduring governmental framework in which our free society has flourished for more than two centuries, and it is a testament to the wisdom and foresight of our founders," Bush said. "America is grateful to those who have worked to defend the Constitution and promote its ideals. During this observance, we also recognize the profound impact our Constitution has on the everyday lives of our citizens and we call upon all Americans to help uphold its values of a free and just society."
Newmyer's discussion occurred Wednesday at the UConn School of Social Work in West Hartford. He is renowned for his series of books on some of the more prominent Supreme Court justices such as John Marshall
"[Newmyer] is a wonderful speaker, and a very interesting person," said Professor Howard Reiter, chair of the political science department.
The discussion on the Fourth Amendment, which protects privacy rights took place Monday. The topic of privacy was chosen in a committee chaired by Vice Provost Veronica Makowsky and was comprised of many directors from around campus. The topic was chosen for it's regular appearance in the news, especially with concerns surrounding NSA wiretapping and the easy access of private information on websites like Myspace. The panel itself included Associate Professor of Political Science, Kristen Telly, University Privacy Officer Rachel Krinsky Rudnick, and the Director of Community Standards Catherine Cocks. The panel was moderated by Reiter.
Because of an appreciation of history and a 2004 congressional mandate, UConn has held two events to honor the document.
On Monday, a panel discussion on the Fourth Amendment was held in Konover Auditorium and on Wednesday, Professor of Law and History Emeritus and author R. Kent Newmyer gave a speech titled, "The Supreme Court and the Living Constitution" at the UConn School of Social Works.
Constitution Week was started in December of 2004 when Congress, as part of a large spending bill, signed into law Senator Robert Byrd's requirement mandating that every American school receiving federal money would have to teach something about the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, Constitution Day.
President George W. Bush commented on the importance of Constitution Week in a press release from www.whitehouse.gov.
"The Constitution established the enduring governmental framework in which our free society has flourished for more than two centuries, and it is a testament to the wisdom and foresight of our founders," Bush said. "America is grateful to those who have worked to defend the Constitution and promote its ideals. During this observance, we also recognize the profound impact our Constitution has on the everyday lives of our citizens and we call upon all Americans to help uphold its values of a free and just society."
Newmyer's discussion occurred Wednesday at the UConn School of Social Work in West Hartford. He is renowned for his series of books on some of the more prominent Supreme Court justices such as John Marshall
"[Newmyer] is a wonderful speaker, and a very interesting person," said Professor Howard Reiter, chair of the political science department.
The discussion on the Fourth Amendment, which protects privacy rights took place Monday. The topic of privacy was chosen in a committee chaired by Vice Provost Veronica Makowsky and was comprised of many directors from around campus. The topic was chosen for it's regular appearance in the news, especially with concerns surrounding NSA wiretapping and the easy access of private information on websites like Myspace. The panel itself included Associate Professor of Political Science, Kristen Telly, University Privacy Officer Rachel Krinsky Rudnick, and the Director of Community Standards Catherine Cocks. The panel was moderated by Reiter.
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