Bush, Crist, & Florida Mayors Proclaim Constitution Week

9/18/08

President Bush, Governor Crist, and mayors from across Florida have issued proclamations making September 17th through 23rd Constitution Week. Chipola Chapter, NSDAR has obtained 2008 Constitution Week proclamations from the following panhandle mayors: Marianna Mayor James B. Wise, Alford Mayor George Gay, Grand Ridge Mayor James Barwick, Chattahoochee Mayor James Atkins, Blountstown Mayor Winston Deason, Altha Mayor Wes Johnson, Greenwood Mayor Charles Saunders, Malone Mayor Gene Wright, Graceville Mayor Charles Holman, Campbellton Mayor Aggie Curry, Cottondale Mayor James Elmore, and President of Sneads City Council Greg Lewis.
The tradition of celebrating the Constitution was started in 1890 by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR.) In 1955 the Daughters petitioned Congress to set aside September 17-23 annually to be dedicated for the observance of Constitution Week. The resolution was later adopted by the U.S. Congress and signed into Public Law #915 on August 2, 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Constitution Week has been observed by Chipola Chapter, NSDAR since the chapter was founded in October 1958. This year the Chipola Daughters were joined by the William Dunaway Chapter, SAR and Blue Springs Society, C.A.R. for the annual Constitution Day luncheon on Saturday, September 13th at MacKinnon Hall of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Marianna. Noted historian Dale Cox was available at 11:00 to sign copies of his new History of Jackson County, Florida: Volume One. The meeting began at 11:30 a.m. Mildred Barfield, Pastor of the Assembly of God Church of Alford, spoke on "Not Without Sacrifice." Everyone enjoyed the dutch treat event.