[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 163 (Tuesday, September 21, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1002]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE 234TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION

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                         HON. BARRY LOUDERMILK

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 21, 2021

  Mr. LOUDERMILK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 234th 
anniversary of the United States Constitution, and to commend the 
Daughters of the American Revolution for their diligence in promoting 
this period of civic education known as Constitution Week.
  The United States Constitution is more than just an outline for good 
governance. It is a product of the greatest minds of its time. It 
stands as a written testament to our values as a nation; and, while 
many countries around the world have a constitution that establishes 
and organizes their government, our Constitution is different. Its 
predominate purpose is to limit the power of the federal government, 
and it encapsulates the most sacred of American values: that our 
government is, and will always be, accountable to the American people.
  I am reminded that our nation's formative years were not without 
internal strife. Much like today, our founders were at a crossroad, and 
many wondered what form of government our fledgling nation would take. 
On September 17, 1787, crowds gathered outside Independence Hall in 
Philadelphia, where the Constitutional Convention had convened to 
decide the future of the country. As the delegates left the Hall that 
day, someone called out from the crowd, asking what kind of government 
we would have. Among the men leaving the building was Benjamin 
Franklin, one of the most esteemed figures in our nation's founding. 
There, on the steps of Independence Hall, Mr. Franklin turned to face 
the inquiring voice and replied, ``A Republic, if you can keep it.''
  Today we find our country again at a crossroad. We must decide 
whether to maintain our foundational principles, or to tread down the 
path of authoritarianism. We can choose to hold fast to the values 
enshrined in our Constitution, or to ignore them and risk losing our 
Republic. I am confident that our Constitutional values and obligations 
will prevail in time. Through divine providence and the tireless 
efforts of organizations like the Daughters of the American Revolution, 
our obligation to the people has already survived over two centuries, 
and will not easily be abandoned.
  On behalf of the 11th Congressional District of Georgia, and the 
United States House of Representatives, I earnestly commend the 
Daughters of the American Revolution for their efforts in preserving 
the legacy of our founders, and the values enshrined in our United 
States Constitution.

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