[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 14559-14560]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      CELEBRATING CONSTITUTION DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT GARRETT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 17, 2015

  Mr. GARRETT. Mr. Speaker, on this date two-hundred and twenty-eight 
years ago, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention completed 
their arduous work and signed the document designed to restore liberty 
to the citizens of a new nation.
  The American Republic was born out of a struggle against British 
tyranny and a monarchical system that our forefathers deemed 
incompatible with the rights of free men and women. Consistent with the 
principles espoused by the Spirit of '76 and enshrined in the 
Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution was not 
imposed on the people. It was humbly submitted to the people for their 
approval.
  A great national debate followed. If the people were to judge the 
Constitution, they were expected to understand the Constitution. The 
Federalist Papers, a series of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, 
John Jay, and James Madison, responded to Antifederalist critics by 
serving as an invaluable guide to the Constitution's provisions. Their 
arguments proved decisive and, eventually, the requisite number of 
states ratified the Constitution. Education was integral to the 
Constitution's ratification.
  At a time when the globe was dominated by kingdoms and empires, a 
skeptical world believed that a republic devoted to the ancient cause 
of liberty would inevitably fail. But the test of time has proven the 
wisdom, effectiveness, and durability of our great charter.
  It has guaranteed our natural rights and preserved our cherished 
liberties.
  It has inspired foreign peoples shackled by tyranny to seek to 
replicate what the Americans have accomplished.
  It has resisted the waves of totalitarian ideologies that claimed 
human liberty to be a relic of antiquity.
  On Constitution Day, Americans follow in the footsteps of the 
Founders, not only by recommitting ourselves to the Constitution's 
enlightened provisions, but also by accepting the duty to provide the 
education necessary for the survival of a free people.
  I commend all those that take the opportunity this day provides to 
promote the American ideals of human liberty and renew our commitment 
to the preservation of the Constitution of the United States.

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