A Proclamation in Honor of Constitution Day, Citizenship Day, and Constitution Week

I drafted and offered this proclamation at the September 16 council business meeting. There are many great resources online to help connect Americans with our Constitutions, such as:

Civics Renewal Network’s Constitution Day Toolkit: Constitution Day Toolkit - CIVICS RENEWAL NETWORK

The Interactive Constitution: About the Interactive Constitution | Constitution Center

THE PROCLAMATION:

WHEREAS, September 17, 2025, marks the 238th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution of the United States of America by the Constitutional Convention in 1787; and  

WHEREAS, Each year, on September 17, Americans celebrate Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, reflecting on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and what it means to be a U.S. citizen; and 

WHEREAS, The Constitution, along with the Bill of Rights and other amendments, defines our government and guarantees our rights; and 

WHEREAS, Constitution Week commemorates the eventful week in 1787 when the Constitution was signed, delivered to the Continental Congress, and made known to the people of the country; it laid the foundation for the birth of a new nation and became one of the most significant chapters in our shared history; and  

WHEREAS, It is fitting and proper to offer official recognition to this visionary document and its memorable anniversary; and to the celebrations which will commemorate the occasion; and 

WHEREAS, Our nation’s military service members, elected leaders, and civil servants across many disciplines take a sacred oath to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic; and  

WHEREAS, The Constitution belongs to “We The People,” and no president or other elected leader has the authority to rewrite the fundamental guarantees enshrined in our founding charter; 
 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Tonya Graham, Mayor of Ashland, do hereby proclaim September 17, 2025, as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day and September 17-23 as Constitution Week. I invite all citizens to spend time this week with our Constitution and discuss with friends, family, and neighbors what this document means to our democracy and how we can work together to protect and defend it. In Ashland we are Better Together. 

Dated this 16th day of September 2025.