The publication is reproduced in full below:
RECOGNIZING THE 234TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION
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HON. BARRY LOUDERMILK
of georgia
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, September 21, 2021
Mr. LOUDERMILK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 234th anniversary of the United States Constitution, and to commend the Daughters of the American Revolution for their diligence in promoting this period of civic education known as Constitution Week.
The United States Constitution is more than just an outline for good governance. It is a product of the greatest minds of its time. It stands as a written testament to our values as a nation; and, while many countries around the world have a constitution that establishes and organizes their government, our Constitution is different. Its predominate purpose is to limit the power of the federal government, and it encapsulates the most sacred of American values: that our government is, and will always be, accountable to the American people.
I am reminded that our nation's formative years were not without internal strife. Much like today, our founders were at a crossroad, and many wondered what form of government our fledgling nation would take. On September 17, 1787, crowds gathered outside Independence Hall in Philadelphia, where the Constitutional Convention had convened to decide the future of the country. As the delegates left the Hall that day, someone called out from the crowd, asking what kind of government we would have. Among the men leaving the building was Benjamin Franklin, one of the most esteemed figures in our nation's founding. There, on the steps of Independence Hall, Mr. Franklin turned to face the inquiring voice and replied, ``A Republic, if you can keep it.''
Today we find our country again at a crossroad. We must decide whether to maintain our foundational principles, or to tread down the path of authoritarianism. We can choose to hold fast to the values enshrined in our Constitution, or to ignore them and risk losing our Republic. I am confident that our Constitutional values and obligations will prevail in time. Through divine providence and the tireless efforts of organizations like the Daughters of the American Revolution, our obligation to the people has already survived over two centuries, and will not easily be abandoned.
On behalf of the 11th Congressional District of Georgia, and the United States House of Representatives, I earnestly commend the Daughters of the American Revolution for their efforts in preserving the legacy of our founders, and the values enshrined in our United States Constitution.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 163
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