Every year, the Eastern District of Tennessee Civics Education and Outreach Committee partners with local chapters of the Federal Bar Association to sponsor local essay contests for high school students. The contests, which focus on some aspect of civics education, are open to public, private, and home-school high school students in all 41 counties in east Tennessee.
NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
To Support And Defend The Constitution
What is the Price of Democracy?
Most United States citizens consider ourselves fortunate to live in a modern, mature democracy. We appreciate the great freedoms and abundant material things our democracy affords us. But while we all know the old adage that freedom is not free, neither is democracy.
Why Don't All Federal Judges Rule the Same Way
A common question raised about the federal courts, especially the Supreme Court, is why judges rule differently in the same or similar cases. Federal judges take an oath to "administer justice without respect to persons, and do equal right to the poor and to the rich, and [to] faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all [their] duties."
An Essential Court Function: Bringing the Words of the Law to Life
Over the past months, we have discussed the federal judiciary’s fundamental functions in our American democracy. One of those functions is to articulate and interpret the law. As stated by Chief Justice John Marshall in the famous Marbury v. Madison decision, "It is emphatically the duty of the Judicial Department to say what the law is.
William Henry Hastie, A Legal Trail Blazer
February is Black History Month. The commemoration began as Black History Week in 1926, the brainchild of historian Carter G. Woodson. President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, calling on the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history."
January 2021 Brings Change with New President and Congress
The nation will experience significant changes this January. The top echelon of the federal government will change. A new Congress was sworn in on January 3, 2021, while the new President and Vice President will be inaugurated on January 20, 2021.
Bill of Rights Day: Celebrating the Fourth Amendment
A little-known day of commemoration, Bill of Rights Day, will soon be upon us. It was on December 15, 1791, that the first ten Amendments to the United States Constitution—the Bill of Rights—were ratified.
Giving Thanks for the Rule of Law
This month, we will celebrate Thanksgiving. We all have our own traditions for the holiday—traveling to be with family, meals with friends and loved ones, football games, movies, and a myriad of other traditions. With COVID-19, we must alter many of these traditions and celebrate Thanksgiving in a manner unlike our past celebrations.
Chief Judge McDonough Highlights the Ed Johnson Case
I walk by the site of the future Ed Johnson memorial nearly every day. Several from our court have dedicated a good deal of time to this effort, in one way or another.
The Courts' Role in Protecting Voting Rights
November 3, Election Day, is right around the corner. Of course, voting is fundamental to elections. It is through voting we both give our consent to those we entrust to govern us and hold those governing us accountable. From our right to vote come many of our rights and freedoms.