A Presentation for Constitution Week
September 15, 2026
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“SLIDE 1 – MAIN
This is Constitution Week, established by 36 USC 106. I come before you tonight to highlight the good news that the United States Constitution is the world’s oldest continually running constitution.
SLIDE 2
250 years ago, 56 courageous men from all walks of life signed their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to declare independence from Great Britain. Many of them sacrificed their lives, wealth, prosperity, and families
for the chance of a better future for all generations. For example, the British destroyed Francis Lewis’s home and his wife died from complications received when she was in British custody. William Floyd’s home was seized by
the British and used as their headquarters. Colonel Thomas Nelson Jr exhausted his personal wealth funding the Virginia militia and ordered his artillery to fire upon his own house occupied by the British army.
SLIDE 3
The 13 Colonies’ Declaration of Independence was followed by five years of war against an enemy that outmatched the colonists’ militias in all aspects. However, through persistence, cunning, and several miracles, the efforts
of George Washington, his armies, and spy James Armistead led to the Battle of Yorktown and the subsequent surrender of British General Cornwallis.
SLIDE 4
Americans established the Articles of Confederation to unite the colonies. It quickly became apparent that the Articles failed to adequately address federal, state, and citizen concerns, from unenforceable taxes to pay off the
war debts, to civil unrest, and Colonies fighting over land claims in the West. The Constitution was presented in 1787 and ratified by the Colonies the following year.
SLIDE 5
The worldwide average lifespan of a constitution is 17 years. Ours is 238 years old.
SLIDE 6
The US Constitution established a government with three distinct branches: The Legislative branch consists of the House and Senate, wherein the House represents the population of states and the Senate once represented the State
legislatures themselves, for equality between citizen and State representation. The Executive branch deals primarily with foreign diplomacy and managing federal departments. The Judicial branch contains the Supreme Court, who
render opinions on laws but cannot legislate from the bench.
SLIDE 7
Attached to the Constitution is the Bill of Rights. Founder George Mason and his Coalition refused to sign the Constitution until they were promised the Bill of Rights would be included, as they feared the government would have
too much power. Once established, Congress actually fulfilled that promise. The Bill of Rights exists not for government to give the people their rights, but to guard We the People’s inalienable rights.
SLIDE 8
As we continue celebrating America’s 250th anniversary through next July, and the Constitution’s 238th birthday, I encourage everyone to join me in studying, asserting, and defending our Constitution. In the words of Founder
Benjamin Franklin, “I agree to this Constitution … because I think a General Government necessary for us, and there is no Form of Government but what may be a Blessing to the People if well administered. … [T]his is likely to
be well administered for a Course of Years, and can only end in Despotism … when the People shall become so corrupted as to need Despotic Government, being incapable of any other.”
And, as Franklin also said, “We have a Republic if we can keep it!”
Thank you for your sworn oath to support the Constitution, and thank you for your time.”