Judge Alberto R. Gonzales, dean of the Belmont University College of Law and Doyle Rogers Distinguished Professor of Law, delivered the keynote address at the Fourteenth Annual Constitution Week Bell Ringing at the State Capitol. The event was sponsored by the Tennessee Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Susan R. Thomas, state regent, to mark the 228th anniversary of the creation of the U.S. Constitution.
Judge Gonzales told his own story that embodies the American Dream. A theme of his speech was the question, “Does the Constitution matter?” which he answered with a resounding, yes. Judge Gonzales was the top law enforcement officer in the United States when he served as U.S. Attorney General in the administration of President George W. Bush.
Other highlights of the program included Janet Tidwell’s reading of the Proclamation from Governor Bill Haslam declaring Sept. 17-23 as Constitution Week and urging all Tennesseans to participate in the observance.
Lynne Drysdale Patterson and her husband Bruce Patterson set Psalm 92 to music. She sang the rendition as her husband accompanied her on the guitar. Lynne Drysdale Patterson is a member of the Fort Nashborough DAR Chapter.
TSDAR State Regent Susan R. Thomas gave remarks as did the President of the Tennessee Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, Dr. Darryl Addington. Mrs. Thomas focused on the DAR’s role in promoting and educating people about the Constitution. Dr. Addington commented on the need for civics to be taught in the public schools.
Ashleigh Cook, president of the Tennessee Society of the Children of the American Revolution and Lori B. Cook, senior president of the T.S.C.A.R., also spoke. Miss Cook told about her state project to support a program to provide disabled veterans with service dogs. Mrs. Cook stated that T.S.C.A.R. seeks to promote patriotism among young people.
Others on the program were: Charlotte S. Reynolds, TSDAR first vice regent; Dianna D. Callaway, TSDAR chaplain; Jeanne S. Preston, TSDAR treasurer; Jessica “Raz” Dumitru, TSDAR Constitution Week chairman; Ellen J. Jordan, chairman of the Davidson County Regents’ Council and regent of Fort Nashborough DAR; and Jane G. Dugger, TSDAR chairman of the Constitution Week Bell Ringing and regent of the Rachel Stockley Donelson DAR Chapter.
Bitsy Riegle Gulbenk and her husband Roupen M. Gulbenk, along with the members of the Rachel Stockley Donelson DAR Chapter, presented Judge Gonzales with a framed print of George Washington. Mrs. Gulbenk was one of the founders of the Constitution Week Bell Ringing 14 years ago.
Attending from the Judge David Campbell Chapter were State Regent Susan Thomas of Monteagle, Chapter Regent Susan Lindsey of Hixson and State DAR Good Citizens Chairman Phyllis Carter of East Brainerd.