The Pike County Probate Judge’s office has declared the week of September 17-23 Constitution Week in Pike County.

Probate Judge Wes Allen was the guest speaker at the Wednesday meeting of the Oliver Wiley Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. He presented the proclamation to the DAR members.

The DAR promotes Constitution Week, which honors one of two documents that are of paramount importance to American history, the Declaration of Independence, which forged the nation’s identity and the United States Constitution, which set forth the framework for the federal government that is still in use today, Allen said.

“The DAR has been the foremost advocate for the awareness, promotion and celebration of Constitution Week. This is a time to reaffirm the ideals of the framers of the Constitution.”

The DAR meeting officially opened with the pledge of allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Flag of Alabama.

“I can’t remember when I last saluted the Flag of Alabama,” Allen said in appreciation for the DAR members’ dedication, not only to the nation’s flag, but also to the state flag.”
Allen joined the DAR members in the salute: “Flag of Alabama: I salute thee. To thee I pledge my allegiance, my service and my life.”

Allen said, only a day earlier, the nation had paused to reflect on 9/11 and remember those whose lives were lost and give thanks for living in America were freedom rings.

Allen said the Pike County Probate Office is committed to preserving the county’s history. “Our office has provided the resources to preserve the county’s historical documents, which record the county’s rich heritage,” he said. “Those documents are available for public use and will continue to be historical resources for future generations,”

Allen acknowledged local organizations that are committed to civic engagement, including the Oliver Wiley Chapter of the DAR, a part of the national organization that initiated the Constitution Week observance in 1955.

At that time, the organization petitioned the U.S. Congress to dedicate September 17-23 of each year to the commemoration of Constitution Week. Congress adopted the resolution, and, on August 2, 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed it into law.