Debate, art celebrate Constitution

Benjamin Franklin impersonator Lou McCreary will moderate debates on Sept. 22 at the Palmer Events Center in observance of Constitution Day.

McCreary, a former assistant attorney general who practices constitutional law, will be presenting Franklin's comments and perspective on the Constitution.

McCreary is a "Constitutional expert" and "an expert on Franklin" said Peck Young, Director of the Center for Public Policy and Political Studies (CPPPS).

The CPPPS is sponsoring the event along with the help and cooperation of the social and behavioral sciences division, the government department, and the arts and humanities division.

"The importance of the celebration generally is that this is a good time, especially in a center of higher education, to remember that the U.S. Constitution is not only the fundamental legal document of our nation, but it is also relevant to our times. This is not a historic artifact but, I believe, a living document that provides the basic legal rights and obligations of all Americans today and into the future," said Young.

The debate will take place in a small group format. Faculty will facilitate each group discussion, and moderators will roam from group to group.

"Students leave having wrestled with the complexities of the Constitution and current political issues," said Gay Lynn Scott, dean of social and behavior sciences. 

The government department will take the lead facilitating the discussion, but faculty from other departments, including history and philosophy, will also take part.

The division of arts & humanities is also sponsoring an art exhibit with the theme "the right to be let alone" which is a famous quote from Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis. The art will be on display from Sept. 13 to Oct. 14 in the lobby of ACC's Highland Business Center.

"Students submit work in various categories (2-D art, 3-D art, personal essay, research essay, poetry), and prizes are awarded for the top submissions," said Scott.

"This year we owe a special thank you for all the help we have received," said Young of co-hosts the City of Austin with Honorary Chairman Mayor Pro-Tem Mike Martinez, the Texas ACLU, the Texas Campus Compact and the American Board of Trail Advocates and the staff of the Palmer Events Center.

This year's debate will be the third Constitution Day celebration at ACC, and while the celebration has grown, Scott said the purpose remains the same.

"ACC's Constitution Day observance each year has the same goal," Scott said, "to help students find ways to enhance their understanding of and appreciation for the Constitution."