Constitution Day

Texas A&M Celebrates Constitution Day & Citizenship Week 2012

Background

On May 24, 2005, the Assistant Deputy Secretary for Innovation and Improvement in the U.S. Department of Education announced that, pursuant to legislation passed by Congress, educational institutions receiving federal funding are required to hold an educational program pertaining to the United States Constitution on September 17 of each year.  A notice published in the Federal Register outlined the requirements for such a program.  The legislation did not authorize funds to carry out this requirement and the Notice of Implementation does not indicate that the Department of Education has plans to monitor compliance.

2012 Activities

In honor of the 225th anniversary of the signing of United States Constitution on September 17, 1787, Texas A&M University is joining thousands of citizens, teachers, and students nationwide in celebrating Constitution Day. Join the celebration by participating in the activities planned for the Texas A&M campus and the Bryan-College Station community.

The following activities are planned for the week.

Monday, September 17, through Sunday, September 23, 2012

  • Exhibits on the United States Constitution.—Exhibits will be located in the Sterling C. Evans Library, the West Campus Library, the Medical Sciences Library, and the Policy Sciences and Economics Library.

Monday, September 17, Constitution Day

  • The George Bush Presidential Library is offering a free pocket Constitution to the first 50 Texas A&M students who visit the Library beginning on Constitution Day.
  • 3:00 p.m.—Bells Across America.—Texas A&M University’s Albritton Tower Carillon will play patriotic music as part of the nationwide initiative “Bells Across America.”
  • 5:30 p.m.—The U.S. Constitution—Local Programming on KAMU-TV.—This program features a conversation with Brazos Count'sy 85th District Court Judge J.D. Langley talking about the U.S. Constitution and concludes with some of our newest citizens as they complete the naturalization process. The program airs on KAMU-TV 12.1, Suddenlink cable 4 & 700, DirecTV 15, Dish Network 12, live Stream  at kamu.tamu.edu WATCH LIVE.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

  • 11:00 p.m.—The U.S. Constitution—Local Programming on KAMU-TV.—This program features a conversation with Brazos Count'sy 85th District Court Judge J.D. Langley talking about the U.S. Constitution and concludes with some of our newest citizens as they complete the naturalization process. (Rebroadcast)

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

  • 7:00 p.m.—Wiley Lecture Series Constitution Day Forum, “And Healthcare for All:  the Affordable Care Act and the Constitution,” MSC Room WW-2500. Featured speakers:  Justice Don Willett, Texas Supreme Court; Dr. William Sage, The University of Texas School of Law; Mario Loyola, director, Center for Tenth Amendment Studies, Texas Public Policy Foundation

Saturday, September 22

  • Halftime—Texas Aggie Football—A&M v. Idaho.—The Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band will pay tribute to the Constitution in the band’s halftime performance.
  • 8:30 p.m.—The U.S. Constitution—Local Programming on KAMU-TV.—This program features a conversation with Brazos Count'sy 85th District Court Judge J.D. Langley talking about the U.S. Constitution and concludes with some of our newest citizens as they complete the naturalization process. (Rebroadcast)

Resources