[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 149 (Thursday, September 18, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1844]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1844]]
CELEBRATING THE 221ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE SIGNING OF THE CONSTITUTION OF 
                      THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 18, 2008

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of 
H.R. 1356, Celebrating the 221st anniversary of the signing of the 
Constitution of the United States of America and honoring the efforts 
of the 42 delegates who attended the majority of the Constitutional 
Convention meetings and the 39 signers, introduced by my distinguished 
colleague Representative Garrett. This legislation acknowledges the 
significance of the ideals established by the Constitution, including 
the principle of a limited federal government with a system of checks 
and balances, and recognizes the Constitution as the source responsible 
for our nation's ability to withstand calamity and preserve stability.

       Don't interfere with anything in the Constitution. That 
     must be maintained, for it is the only safeguard of our 
     liberties.--Abraham Lincoln


                               Background

  The members of the Constitutional Convention signed the United States 
Constitution on September 17, 1787 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 
Constitutional Convention convened in response to dissatisfaction with 
the Articles of Confederation and the need for a strong centralized 
government. After 4 months of secret debate and many compromises, the 
proposed Constitution was submitted to the States for approval. 
Although the vote was close in some States, the Constitution was 
eventually ratified and the new Federal government came into existence 
in 1789. The Constitution established the U.S. government as it exists 
today.

  The Constitution represents the founding of our government as we know 
it today. For 221 years, the United States has fought to maintain a 
democracy that equally represents everyone that resides within the 
boundaries our Nation. Without this sacred document, the rules that 
govern our Nation would be obsolete. The concrete separation that 
ensures the stability of our government and thus, our Nation is due to 
the Constitution Convention that we recognize today.


                                 TEXAS

  Texas became a member of this great Nation in 1845. Since that 
moment, Texas has been proud to be a member of such a great Nation like 
the United States, and as a Representative for the 18th district of 
Texas I am proud to represent my constituents within the Legislative 
Branch of this government. It takes the help of every branch of 
governments at a number of different levels to accomplish all the 
things our government is capable of, and today, I am proud to be a 
Representative of Texas and the United States. It is a privilege to 
represent the people of my State and my district in Washington, DC.


                               CONCLUSION

  I believe we must pass this resolution to demonstrate how proud we 
are to celebrate the success of our founding fathers and to acknowledge 
those who put our system of government on paper allowing the United 
States to become such a renowned Nation. This resolution encourages us 
to remember those intelligent men who put their hearts and souls into 
developing a system give equality and representation to all people, and 
as we stand together now, after 221 years, must recognize their 
important part in developing the Constitution that governs our great 
Nation today.

                          ____________________