[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 13578]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, this Saturday, the Nation marks the 224th 
anniversary of the day when the Founders signed the fundamental charter 
for our democracy--the Constitution of the United States. During the 
Constitutional Convention, the delegates debated hundreds of issues and 
proposals before crafting the final charter. Thankfully, the Founders 
had the foresight to know that their debate would not be the final word 
on the subject. The work of defining our Nation--ensuring protection of 
rights for all Americans--would continue, as we strive to create ``a 
more perfect union.''
  It was through the leadership of the late Senator Robert C. Byrd that 
the Congress began to officially celebrate the signing of the 
Constitution, calling the September 17 anniversary Constitution Day. 
Senator Byrd understood the importance of ensuring that future 
generations value our Nation's founding charter. This week, in schools 
across the country, students will learn about the Constitutional 
Convention and the meaning of Constitution Day.
  For well over two centuries, the Constitution has allowed America to 
flourish and, importantly, adapt to new challenges. Since the inclusion 
of the Bill of Rights in 1791, the Constitution has been amended just 
17 times. There has been much discussion of late about amending our 
Nation's fundamental charter. As chairman of the Senate Judiciary 
Committee, that is not something that I take lightly. Proposing 
amendments to the Constitution should not be a reflexive response to 
political threats. Each Member of Congress swears to support and defend 
the Constitution; it should be treated with the reverence it deserves, 
not as leverage in heated political debate. While I certainly believe 
that the Constitution has been improved over time in our effort to 
create a more perfect union, those amendments were thoroughly 
considered and debated over time. Before we alter our national charter, 
we must openly consider whether such amendment would hamstring future 
generations.
  Pressure groups may demand that elected representatives sign pledges 
about what they will and will not do if elected to office. The pledge I 
follow--the one I was honored to make again at the beginning of this 
Congress--is to uphold the Constitution. I take that pledge seriously. 
``We the People'' owe a great debt to the Framers of our Constitution. 
And as we commemorate the signing of the Constitution of the United 
States of American 224 years ago, I hope all Americans will take this 
opportunity to read the words of our founding charter and learn about 
how it protects us all.

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