LFR Spearheads Reading of Constitution

***NEWS RELEASE***

For Immediate Release
September 13, 2011

CONTACT:
Deborah Hamilton, Hamilton Strategies, 215.815.7716, 610.584.1096, [email protected]
Matt Mackowiak, (202) 737-2630 / (512) 423-6116, [email protected]

From Philadelphia to Portland, Country Planning ‘We Read the Constitution Events’

Let Freedom Ring Spearheads Nationwide Events That Encourage Americans to Read the Constitution Aloud on September 17

PHILADELPHIA, PA—Patriots around the country will come together this weekend to read the United States Constitution, in nationwide events that will remind Americans of the importance of the liberty and freedoms our country was built upon.

On September 17, 1787, the U.S. Constitution was signed by 39 brave men who changed the course of history. Now, Constitution Day is a time for Americans to continue their legacy and develop habits of citizenship in a new generation.

For the second year, We Read the Constitution is bringing together groups of American people to read one of the most important documents in our history. On Saturday, people will join in groups large and small, at public places and private homes, for the annual Constitution Day.

Back in the spring of 2010, Colin Hanna, president of Let Freedom Ring— a public policy non-profit organization committed to promoting Constitutional government, economic freedom and traditional values—was looking for a way to make Americans more aware of the actual contents of the U.S. Constitution.

"It struck me," Hanna said, "that if Americans were to read the Constitution out loud with their neighbors they could not help but see how the Founding Fathers limited the national government to a few core functions in order to protect our liberty and security. The Constitution is such an important part of who we truly are as Americans, and it takes on even greater significance when we read it out loud, either by ourselves or in groups. We can read the entire Constitution and all 27 Amendments in just an hour, and it will make an indelible impact on each of us when we read the words that shaped our country 224 years ago."

Last year, more than 160 public readings of the United States Constitution took place across the country. Hanna reached out to actress Janine Turner of "Northern Exposure" fame. Turner had begun an effort through her organization, Constituting America, to promote awareness of the Constitution and the Federalist Papers. Together they launched the WeReadTheConstitution.com project.

Thus far for the 2011 commemoration of the signing, more than 30 events are planned in 20 states, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Portland, Oregon, and as far reaching as Anchorage, Alaska . More cities are planning their own We Read the Constitution events each day.

Radio station WPHT in Philadelphia—the home of the signing of the Constitution—is sponsoring a contest where listeners can enter to win a $150 prize package and a chance to be featured on the air reading a portion of the Constitution. Further details are available at www.cbsphilly.com/letfreedomring.

The web site WeReadTheConstitution.com was created to promote the reading of the Constitution in its entirety by as many Americans as possible. Recently, the Tea Party movement has stimulated a widespread interest in America ‘s founding documents, principles and ideals. The We Read the Constitution events will help solidify America’s commitment to those ideals and remind Americans of the country’s roots and the importance of liberty and freedom.

Visitors to the site can learn ways to host a We Read the Constitution party, find a We Read the Constitution event in their area, register as a reader of the Constitution themselves or print a copy of the Constitution.

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To schedule interviews with Colin Hanna, President of Let Freedom Ring, contact Deborah Hamilton, Hamilton Strategies, 215.815.7716, 610.584.1096, [email protected] , or Matt Mackowiak, (202) 737-2630 / (512) 423-6116, [email protected]

Colin Hanna is President of Let Freedom Ring, a 501 (c)(4) public policy non-profit organization committed to promoting Constitutional government, free enterprise and traditional values.