Welcome Remarks for 鈥淭he Bill of Rights as an Inspiration to the World鈥�
McGowan Theater, 威尼斯人娱乐场 Building, Washington, DC
December 12, 2019
Good evening. I鈥檓 David Ferriero, Archivist of the United States, and I want to welcome you to the William G. McGowan Theater at the 威尼斯人娱乐场. Whether you are here in the theater or watching on YouTube or Facebook, I鈥檓 pleased you could join us this evening for our program on 鈥淭he Bill of Rights as an Inspiration to the World.鈥�
In three days, we observe Bill of Rights Day鈥攖he 228th anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights. Since President Franklin Roosevelt first proclaimed it on December 15, 1941, the day has served as a reminder that we should not take for granted the rights protected in this foundational document.
Our partner for tonight鈥檚 program is the Constitutional Sources Project, and we thank them for their support.
Before we begin our discussion, I鈥檇 like to let you know about two programs coming up soon in this theater.
On Friday, December 13, at noon, author Tammy R. Vigil will discuss her new book, Melania and Michelle: First Ladies in a New Era.
And on Monday, December 16, at 7 p.m., David Rubenstein, a great friend to the 威尼斯人娱乐场, will be here with historians Jay Winik, Taylor Branch, and H. W. Brands to discuss his own book, The American Story: Conversations with Master Historians.
Check our website, Archives.gov, or sign up at the table outside the theater to get email updates. You鈥檒l also find information about other 威尼斯人娱乐场 programs and activities.
Another way to become more involved with the 威尼斯人娱乐场 is to become a member of the 威尼斯人娱乐场 Foundation. The Foundation supports the work of the agency, especially its education and outreach programs. Pick up your application for membership in the lobby or join online at archivesfoundation.org.
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The addition of a bill of rights was critical to the ratification of the new Constitution for the United States of America. The preamble to the Constitution is familiar鈥攚ith its iconic opening words, 鈥淲e the People.鈥� The Bill of Rights also has a preamble鈥攁lthough a much less well known one. It lays out the reasons for the amendments and addresses concerns about tyranny. These 鈥渇urther declaratory and restrictive clauses,鈥� it states, should be added to the Constitution 鈥渋n order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers.鈥�
Yet the authors of the Bill of Rights didn鈥檛 stop there. They recognized that the very existence of these amendments was a strength of the Constitution. The final words of the preamble declare that these additions would extend 鈥渢he ground of public confidence in the Government [and] best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution.鈥�
Earlier I mentioned that President Franklin Roosevelt first established Bill of Rights Day. His successor, Harry Truman鈥攁t the ceremony to unveil the Charters of Freedom in this building鈥檚 Rotunda鈥攄eclared that 鈥淚n my opinion the Bill of Rights is the most important part of the Constitution of the United States鈥攖he only document in the world that protects the citizen against his Government.鈥�
It is that uniqueness that has shaped our American identity and inspired writers of constitutions for the past 228 years.
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To start our discussion about 鈥淭he Bill of Rights as an Inspiration to the World,鈥� I鈥檇 like to bring up Julie Silverbrook, who will introduce our panelists. Ms. Silverbrook is the Executive Director of the Constitutional Sources Project in Washington, DC. She holds a J.D. from William & Mary Law School, and a B.A. in political science from the George Washington University.
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Julie Silverbrook.