Prairie View A&M University held its annual Constitution Day Program at the Abner Davis Memorial Sept. 17. Students, faculty and staff gathered to commemorate the day which was founded Sept. 17, 1997.
Louise Leigh, a former outreach director of the California Bicentennial Commission, campaigned to make it public law for organizations and institutions to recognize this day. Leigh gathered prominent individuals around the nation to recite the preamble to the U.S. Constitution simultaneously, hoping that the event would increase the importance of the constitution to Americans who were not fully aware of its true value.
Betty Hall, chairperson and program director of the constitution committee, has continued to acknowledge the day here at Prairie View for the past four years.
“This day is to get students to understand the importance and privileges of our forefathers given by the constitution,” said Hall.
Andre Evans, SGA president, presided over the event and asked students to value their voting rights by participating in elections around the campus community or the immediate community in which they reside.
Dr. Clement Glenn, interim associate vice president for student affairs encouraged everyone to remember that freedom comes with a price. Glenn expressed his gratitude to those who are now fighting to keep that freedom overseas.
Sossity Lewis, a university cheerleader, performed a musical selection titled, “My Eyes Are on the Sparrow” which was followed by the reciting of the preamble from the current Miss Prairie View, Jamie Jackson. Remarks were made by Mayor Frank Jackson, who is also director of government relations.
For many students this day honors the country’s diversity and the protection of everyone’s rights regardless of ethnicity, religion or customs.
Raquel Ramirez, a senior communications major, expressed what Constitution Day meant to her as a Hispanic-American.
“This is a day that I can appreciate my freedom and my heritage in a country that accepts and welcomes them both,” stated Ramirez.
The day continued with a sense of appreciation and awareness. The program was adjourned by the University ROTC Color Guard.