The Jewish Federation will host a dinner and a presentation by David L. Hudson Jr. of the First Amendment Center.

The annual First Amendment Dinner, to be held Thursday, July 8, at 6:30 p.m. at the Jewish Cultural Center. As a way to honor veterans for their service to the United States, the dinner is free for veterans and $10 for non-veterans who RSVP prior to July 3. After July 3 the cost for dinner is $12 per person.

Mr. Hudson writes for firstamendmentcenter.org and for other publications devoted to First Amendment issues. He is the author or co-author of 20 books, including several on the U.S. Supreme Court, the Constitution and student rights.

He is a First Amendment contributing editor for the American Bar Association's Preview of United States Supreme Court Cases. Mr. Hudson graduated from Duke University in 1990 and obtained a law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School in 1994. He teaches First Amendment classes at Nashville School of Law and Vanderbilt University Law School. He also teaches at Middle Tennessee State University.

The First Amendment Center serves as a forum for the study and exploration of free-expression issues, including freedom of speech, of the press and of religion, and the rights to assemble and to petition the government.

The center’s programs provide education and information to the public and groups including First Amendment scholars and experts, educators, government policy makers, legal experts and students. The center is nonpartisan and does not lobby or litigate.

The center’s web site is one of the most authoritative sources of news, information and commentary in the nation on First Amendment issues. It features daily updates on news about First Amendment-related developments, as well as information and detailed reports about U.S. Supreme Court cases involving the First Amendment, and commentary, analysis and special reports involving free expression, press freedom and religious-liberty issues.

For more information about the First Amendment Dinner, and to make reservations, call Ann Treadwell at 423 493-0270, ext. 13.

The Jewish Cultural Center is located at 5461 North Terrace Road. All Jewish Federation programs are open to the public regardless of religious affiliation.