The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

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September 17, 2009

Constitution Day

By Courtney D. Clark

Residents of the community met Wednesday at Mountain State University to salute the Sept. 17, 1787, signing of the United States Constitution.

“The purpose for being here today is to respond to an initiative that was begun by Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., to establish a Constitution Day to celebrate and to remember the United States Constitution,” said Dr. Vincent Beach, dean of arts and sciences at MSU.

In addition to the celebration of the document that established the federal government, Constitution Day at MSU served as a forum for the public, students and faculty to voice their opinions to government officials.

A panel shared local thoughts on issues such as freedom of information, speech and health care.

“Certainly our Constitution is a fundamental bedrock document that is very broad in its face,” state Sen. Bill Laird, D-Fayette, and MSU adjunct faculty member, explained, “but it has proved to be inclusive of a number of enduring principles that we subscribe to, to this day.”

“An informed citizenry is the cornerstone of our democracy, and this is no more evident than to the current public debate related to health care reforms,” the former Fayette County sheriff continued. “Thank goodness we live in a nation where a high premium is placed on diversity of opinion.”

The discussion on health care opened up a call for action from community members.

“Take time and responsibility for yourselves to really hash out what affects you,” WVNS reporter and panel member Kate Krivanek said. “Take a part in your own life. This is all going to be really important to us.”

The panel also included the Register-Herald’s executive editor and general manager, Carl “Butch” Antolini, Stan Norman of MSU’s Alumni Advisory Counsel and associate professor of nursing Gail Zell Serdoza.

“When I grew up, we were told that we couldn’t have any rights unless there was a responsibility that went along with it,” Serdoza said. “I think we have to recognize that nothing is free, that things will have to be compromised for our Constitution — and therefore our nation — to continue to exist. We have to figure out what the costs are for all of our rights and be willing to bear that cost so that we can continue to live in this democracy.”

— E-mail: cclark@register-herald.com

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