Lt. Gov. to Speak as Part of Constitution Week
OGDEN, Utah – Utah's Lt. Gov. Gary R. Herbert will speak at Weber State University on Sept. 17 as part of a weeklong celebration commemorating the anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution.
Herbert's presentation, which will discuss political reform, will be at 11 a.m. in the Shepherd Union Ballroom and is sponsored by WSU's Department of Political Science and Philosophy as well as the Institute for Politics, Decency and Ethical Conduct.
Herbert was elected Utah's lieutenant governor in 2004 and leads state efforts concerning homeland security, transportation, water and rural affairs. He spent 14 years on the Utah County Commission and is a veteran of the Utah Army National Guard. He also has served as president of the Utah Association of Realtors and the Utah Association of Counties.
Other activities planned to commemorate the signing of the Constitution include a "Conversation about the Scopes Trial" by political science professor Thom Kuehls, a panel discussion of the "Constitution in a Time of Elections," and a panel discussion titled "160 Years since the Seneca Falls Convention." A reading of the U.S. Constitution will follow each of the week's activities.
"Everyone in America knows about the Fourth of July, but the Declaration of Independence is actually secondary in importance when compared to the Constitution," said Leah Murray, assistant professor of political science. "The Constitution is the document that actually governs us, so it makes sense to celebrate it."
In 1952, Congress passed a joint resolution requesting the president of the United States to proclaim the week beginning Sept. 17 of each year as "Constitution Week."
The following are this year's scheduled events at WSU:
Monday (Sept. 15): "Conversation about the Scopes Trial," featuring WSU political science professor Thom Kuehls, 11 a.m., Shepherd Union Fireplace Lounge.
Tuesday (Sept. 16): "The Constitution in a Time of Elections," featuring WSU political science professors Gary Johnson, Paul Pope and Leah Murray, 11 a.m., Shepherd Union Fireplace Lounge.
Wednesday (Sept. 17): "Political Reform," featuring guest speaker Lt. Gov. Gary R. Herbert, 11 a.m., Shepherd Union Ballroom A.
Thursday (Sept. 18): "160 Years since the Seneca Falls Convention," a panel presentation featuring Kathryn MacKay, Susan Matt and Adrienne Gillespie, 11 a.m., Shepherd Union Fireplace Lounge.
All events are free to the public.
Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.
- Travis Clemens, assistant director of Media Relations
801-626-7948 • travisclemens@weber.edu - Contact:
- Leah Murray, assistant professor of political science
801-626-6695 • lmurray@weber.edu