Nebraska's U.S. attorney to speak on Constitution Day

Last December, President Bush signed a bill which designates every Sept. 17th as Constitution Day. All schools receiving federal funds are required have an observance commemorating the signing of the nation’s charter at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia on Sept. 17, 1787.

Since Sept. 17 falls on Saturday this year, most schools are planning their observance on Friday. Chadron State will have activities both days.

The legislation was the brainchild of U.S. Sen. Robert Byrd, a Democrat from West Virginia, who said, “Our Constitution is not merely a dry piece of dead parchment, but a revered and living document that has helped inspire our nation to achieve seemingly impossible goals.”

Byrd added that he is frustrated with Americans who seem more interested in watching “Desperate Housewives” than in reading the Constitution.

Also on Friday at CSC, the program “Conversations with Supreme Court Justices” will be shown in the Student Center at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. via a satellite downlink. In addition, at 11:30, “The Justices Talking” will be shown.

Small American flags and pocket-size Constitutions will be given out at the information desk in the Student Center on Friday and the Legal Studies, Criminal Justice and Political Science Clubs will have a Constitution quiz booth set up from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Student Center.

On Saturday, which is Family Day at CSC, the miniature American flags will be available again and the football game program will contain the Preamble to the Constitution and information about Constitution Day.

Heavican was appointed Nebraska’s U.S. Attorney on Sept. 21, 2001 by President Bush. He served as Lancaster County attorney from December 1981 through 1990. He joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nebraska in March 1991, where he served as acting first assistant U.S. attorney, as criminal chief and as acting U.S. attorney prior to his appointment to the position.