Our magnificent U.S. Constitution is a living document that provides guidance for government by citizens to all in the world.  Connecticut, as the Constitution State, takes special pride in honoring democracy by designating September as Democracy Month and sponsoring Constitution Day programs across the state.

Our school children have read that Governor M. Jodi Rell has declared September to be Youth and Democracy Month to commemorate the adoption of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787. In recognition of that landmark event, students here and across the country will be participating in Constitution Day educational programs on Monday, September 18th.

Connecticut was the fifth state to ratify our Constitution, and the first colony to have its own Constitution which was famously hidden in the Charter Oak tree, setting our journey away from monarchy and toward the world’s most successful form of government, Constitutional democracy.  I urge all citizens to use this month to learn more about the wonder of the American Constitution and the wisdom of its writers.  Here are some places to start your research:

DemocracyWorks, a Hartford-based non-profit, non-partisan organization with a mission to enhance democracy here and nationwide, has joined with the Connecticut Consortium for Law and Citizenship Education, Inc., the Connecticut State Department of Education, the League of Women Voters of Connecticut and the Office of the Secretary of the State to create a Youth and Democracy Initiative. The initiative is intended to encourage students to become involved in their communities, and also to get involved with their local and state government.

A great deal of information about this initiative is available on the DemocracyWorks website at www.democracyworksct.org. Among other things, the website includes several suggested activities for students and schools to do during the month of September. The site also includes information about the 2nd Annual Youth and Democracy Challenge, which is intended to “recognize the best civic engagement practices of students and schools in Connecticut. Several links and resources intended to help participants complete the challenge’s three main components, research, education and action, are available on the website. Those interested can download a printable entry form from the site, or enter online. Students have from September of this year until March 2007 to implement their projects. Specific deadlines vary according to project, so it is best to check the website for more information. Award recipients will be notified by April 16th, 2007, and there will be a Youth and Democracy Forum on April 28, 2007 at the State Capitol.

The DemocracyWorks website also includes information about a Constitution Day Contest for students to complete in class on September 18th.  The topic of the contest will be available the morning of September 18th on the Connecticut Consortium for Law and Citizenship Education, Inc. website at www.cclce.org.
             
I am proud to remain your Senator until my term ends in January and my office will remain open to assist you.  As always, I am interested in your thoughts and concerns.  I can be reached at the Capitol at 1-800-842-1421 or you can send me an e-mail at Catherine.Cook@cga.ct.gov.  I look forward to hearing from you.