Bells Across America Day

Proclamation

By the Governor of Alabama

WHEREAS, in honor of signing the United States Constitution on September 17, 1787, the Pursuing Academics, Creativity, and Excellence (PACE) students at Olive J. Dodge Elementary School in Mobile, Alabama have initiated a city-wide bell ringing event on Friday, September 16, 2016 at the U.S.S. Alabama Battleship Park; and

WHEREAS, the project was inspired by the students’ studies this past year of the American Revolution. The students have also rung a replica Liberty Bell in front of the school for the past two years as part of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) Bells Across America Program; and

WHEREAS, the students learned that through the centuries, church bells in cathedrals were rung as a major means of communication to signify the births and deaths of monarchs, invasions and the ending of wars; and

WHEREAS, in colonial times, bells were rung for the signing of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution, end of the American Revolution, and the death of George Washington; and

WHEREAS, Constitution Day is a national holiday; and

WHEREAS, Congress set aside the week of September 17th through the 23rd to celebrate and study the Constitution where all institutions from primary, secondary and collegiate who receive federal funding are required to teach about the Constitution and offer materials:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim September 16, 2016, as

Bells Across America Day

in the State of Alabama.

Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 31st day of August 2016.

Robert Bentley

Governor