Retired Baton Rouge City Judge Darrell White, who used to have a child enrolled at Buchanan Elementary School, spoke to the school’s students about the U.S. Constitution this morning, September 17, as part of Constitution Day and Constitution Week.  Students serenaded White (pictured, back row) with patriotic songs, and a few kindergarteners visited him personally (left to right, ShaNyia Perkins, Anthony Hayes and MaKaylee Rankins).

With the U.S. president’s signature on December 8, 2004, the Consolidated Appropriations Bill was signed and became Public Law 108-447. It funds a major portion of the federal government for another year. Hidden deep inside the 3,000 page document is wording to provide “educational and training materials concerning the United States Constitution to each employee of the agency or department on September 17 of each year” and that “each educational institution that receives federal funds for a fiscal year shall hold an educational program on the United States Constitution on September 17 of such year for the students served by the educational institution.”  It also provided that the designation of September 17 be changed from Citizenship Day to “Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.”

U.S. President George W. Bush proclaimed September 17 as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day annually. He said, “I encourage federal, state and local officials, as well as leaders of civic, social and educational organizations, to conduct ceremonies and programs that celebrate our Constitution and reaffirm our rights and obligations as citizens of our great nation.”