Bellevue University to Host Constitution Day Event on September 17

The U.S. Constitution doesn’t include any mention of political parties, so exactly how have they become so influential in American government and politics? And will they survive in their current form into the future?

Those essential questions will be the focus of a public Constitution Day event to be held at Bellevue University on Tuesday, Sept. 17 starting at 12:15 p.m. The event will be held in the Margre H. Durham Student Center, 1008 Bruin Blvd., in the Quiet Lounge. It is free and open to the public.

According to Rick Galusha, event coordinator and Program Director of the University’s Kirkpatrick Signature Series, attendees will be able to share their views and hear from a diverse group of panelists, including: State Sen. John McCollister; former State Sen. Theresa Thibodeau; radio personality and author Doug Wesselman (aka, Otis 12); and Scott Voorhees, news director at KFAB radio station. Galusha added that most of the panelists are members of Free Speech Nebraska, a non-partisan forum group guided by principles of non-confrontational debate, with a focus on listening, discerning and valuing the input of all.

“Many people feel disenchanted by today’s political parties,” said Galusha, “so it’s vital that we engage and come together to talk about key issues related to political party membership, and the power and influence that they have on our system of governance, including the upcoming Presidential election in 2020.” Galusha added that attendees should expect and be prepared for civil and respectful dialog and interactions.

Constitution Day commemorates the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution by delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1787. The federally mandated observance also recognizes all those who possess U.S. citizenship.

Bellevue University’s Constitution Day event is presented as a community service of the Kirkpatrick Signature Series (KSS) on American Vision and Values. The Series, which is required for all undergraduate students, highlights the importance of active citizenship in a rapidly changing world; one in which popular government, Western tradition and American values are sometimes severely tested.