Constitution Day Marked

Kevin L. Mayer, co-news editor

The South Plains College Social Science Department commemorated the signing of the United States Constitution during the first celebration of Constitution Day.

As mandated by Congressional Law (public law 108-447) all federally-funded schools and colleges are required to inform and teach students about the signing of the Constitution. The United States Constitution was officially signed on Sept. 17, 1787, but was celebrated on Sept. 16 this year at schools across the country.

The SPC celebration took place in the Oil Room in the Student Center. It featured a panel discussion and concluded with a question-and-answer session. The panel included Dr. Ron Carden, Larry Norris, and Dan English, all professors in the Social Science Department at SPC.

Carden, chairperson of the Social Science Department and professor of history at SPC, helped organize the event. Dr. Carden began the discussion with an overview of the Articles of Confederation before explaining how the Constitution was formed.

Norris, associate professor of government, followed Carden by discussing the Judiciary. Referring to President George W. Bush’s recent Supreme Court nominee, Norris said, “John Roberts could be on the court for 35 years. If approved, he will be the 17^th appointment to the high court.”

On October 30, the Supreme Court will be back in session. While discussing previous nominees and appointees, Norris explained that since 1789 there have been 144 nominees and only 30 have been rejected. While the first public hearings on court nominees began in 1916, some politicians have threatened to impeach certain judges. Since 1789, only seven judges have been impeached in all court levels.

Though no nominee has been appointed who has not been a lawyer, there have been Supreme Court appointees who never served on the bench. For example, Chief Justice Earl Warren had never served on a court before being appointed Chief Justice.

English, assistant professor of government, followed up on Carden’s and Norris’s’ comments regarding both the Constitution and Judiciary. Attempting to explain the definition of constructionist, the panel broke it down to either strict or broad. A broad constructionist applies modern day principles, while a strict constructionist takes the words of the document to decide the case. Ruling from the bench involves changing law, and it overturns law passed by Congress. In 1803, the Power of Judicial Review was enacted, giving the court the power to oversee Congress.

Dr. Carden was pleased with the turnout of students and faculty for the event. Close to 40 people were in attendance.

“It went over very well,” said Carden. “Constitution Day brings attention and respect to the Constitution.”

The objective of Constitution Day is to re-inform students about how the government works and is organized. A school is one of the only places to go for a rational explanation to government.

“Rules evolve over time,” Dr. Carden replied when asked how students benefit from the mandated day. “Students deserve a general framework to understand and comprehend. So students, once in the real world, understand the process and political issues of our government.”