Constitution Day Ceremonies 2018

Eastern District of Tennessee

At the recommendation of the Sixth Circuit Civics and Outreach Committee that all district courts in the circuit establish Civics and Outreach committees, the Eastern District of Tennessee established its Civics and Outreach Committee. The committee was charged with the responsibility of overseeing the district’s efforts at civics education and outreach to the community. It is composed of district judges, bankruptcy judges, magistrate judges, court staff, law clerks, Federal Bar Association members, ABOTA members, local law school and university representatives, and others.

The committee saw Constitution Day, Monday, September 17, 2018, as an excellent opportunity for public civics education and outreach. The Committee decided to undertake a district-wide initiative to observe Constitution Day and involve the public. The project entailed a public reading of the Constitution during lunch hour on Constitution Day in each of the three staffed divisional courthouses. Once the idea was adopted, it was passed down to the division civics and outreach subcommittees. The subcommittees were given considerable leeway as to how they wished to implement the public reading.

The subcommittees approached the idea with great enthusiasm and cooperation. The public readings were tailored to the particular circumstances of each courthouse.

Constitution Day Ceremonies 2018 - Knoxville

At the headquarters courthouse in Knoxville, the observance was held in the enclosed interior courtyard of the courthouse. Chief Judge Thomas Varian started off the readings. He was assisted by his two-year-old granddaughter. In addition to court officials and staff, public officials, local bar members, and the general public attended. Approximately 58 people participated in the readings. Another twenty people observed without reading. It was a lovely event, not at all dampened by the light rain.

Constitution Day Ceremonies 2018 - Chattanooga

In Chattanooga, the readings took place on the steps of the courthouse. District Judge Curtis Collier started the reading. He was followed by approximately 120 people -- other federal judges, state court judges, court staff, members of the bar, college professors, members of local patriotic and community organizations, ordinary citizens, and elementary school students. There were so many readers that the readings had to start over from the Preamble. Several of the readers remarked on how touched they were by the moving experience.

Constitution Day Ceremonies 2018 - Greeneville

In Greeneville, District Judge Ronnie Greer led the readings. They were held in the courthouse in a large conference room. Approximately 85 to 90 students from four local high schools participated in the observance. In addition to reading the Constitution, the students had the opportunity to observe two criminal proceedings before District Judge Pam Reeves, a change of plea heading and a sentencing proceeding. The students were treated to lunch at the courthouse. During lunch, Judge Greer interacted with the students and made some welcoming remarks.

Constitution Day Ceremonies 2018 - Winchester

Although the courthouse in Winchester is not a staffed courthouse, Bankruptcy Judge Shelley Rucker initiated a reading of the Preamble, the first paragraph of the first three articles, the Bill of Rights, and the Fourteenth Amendment in the courtroom before holding court. Approximately twenty attorneys participated in the reading, with the close attention of the parties in court.

The public readings were a great success. They enhanced the public’s awareness and understanding of the Constitution. They were made possible only through the great cooperation and work of all those involved.

Constitution Day Ceremonies 2018 - Chattanooga 2

On the following Friday, September 21, an additional and separate observance took place in Chattanooga in the ceremonial courtroom of the courthouse. Approximately 100 students from three local schools participated in a morning of activities. The students heard Judge Collier discuss the history, importance, and relevance of the Constitution. They then participated in a skit written by Judge Collier designed to impress upon them the importance of the Constitution to our daily lives. They participated in a discussion with state court Judge Thomas Greenholtz on the Bill of Rights. They heard from Magistrate Judge Susan Lee as she discussed the Fourth Amendment. They then they engaged in a trivia contest designed to stimulate their knowledge of the Constitution. At the conclusion of the program they were treated to bag lunches.