[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Page 24322]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                            OUR CONSTITUTION

  Mr. CARPER. Madam President, let me begin by saying plainly and 
unabashedly that I love our flag. I wear an American flag lapel pin to 
work every single day. We fly ``Old Glory'' at our home throughout the 
year and display it proudly in each of my Senate offices. The American 
flag is even displayed on the minivan that I drive all over our State. 
It is the symbol of our freedom and a reflection of our pride in our 
great Nation.
  But while our flag is the symbol of our freedom, our Nation's 
Constitution is its guarantee. It is the foundation on which was built 
the longest living experiment in democracy in the history of the world. 
Though written by man, I believe it to be divinely inspired. Before 
beginning 23 years of service as a naval flight officer, I took the 
same oath as each of the men and women now fighting overseas. We swore 
to protect our Nation's safety and honor and defend our Constitution 
against all enemies both foreign and domestic. The men and women of our 
armed forces past and present each pledged to lay down their lives in 
defense of the freedoms our Constitution provides. I can think of no 
greater honor, no more solemn a commitment, than this pledge.
  On a cold December 7, 214 years ago, Delawareans stood proudly and 
declared their belief in the right of self-government by becoming the 
first to ratify the United States Constitution. Each year we celebrate 
this act of leadership, courage, and wisdom. While our constitution has 
proved the most durable model for democracy, at the time, it was a 
revolutionary and some thought risky step forward. For the power of its 
words and the brilliance of its logic is matched only by the astounding 
scope of what it sought to achieve, to ``establish Justice, insure 
domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the 
general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and 
our Posterity.''
  It was truly a miraculous undertaking, and we celebrate that Delaware 
had the courage to lead the world in embracing this new standard 
excellence in self-government.
  But as we reflect on this bold step towards freedom, there is a stain 
on our celebration.
  After the Constitution's ratification, the Bill of Rights sought to 
provide greater and more lasting liberties than any single document 
before or since. In 1789, the Federal Government sent the articles that 
would make up the Bill of Rights to States for ratification. While 
other States sent their approval of ratification back to the Federal 
Government on separate parchment, in their enthusiasm, Delaware's 
leaders signed their approval directly on their copy of the document 
and returned it to the Federal Government. While other states are now 
able to display their copies of the original Bill of Rights, Delaware's 
is locked in a drawer in the National Archives near College Park, 
Maryland. Our State and this document deserve better. I call today on 
the National Archives to return this copy of the Bill of Rights to its 
place of ratification. I ask that in the spirit of celebration 
surrounding Delaware Day, the National Archives return to us this 
important part of our State's history.
  We are witnessing a time of renewed respect for our Nation at home 
and abroad. In fact, in all of my life, I've never witnessed a warmer 
embrace of our flag or a greater sense of pride for our country than 
we've seen since September 11. Almost everywhere we turn, we see signs 
of this renewed national pride on our homes, office buildings, 
factories, schools, construction sites, on the vehicles we drive, and 
as well at thousands of sporting events, parades and gatherings across 
our country. A spirit of patriotism has swept across our Nation in a 
way that I've never seen. It is both comforting and inspiring to me 
and, I know, to Americans everywhere.
  This December, let us pause in thanks to those wise Delawareans who 
started our Nation along the road to becoming the most successful and 
long-lasting democracy in world history. They gave us a great gift for 
which we, and much of the world, will be forever thankful.

                          ____________________