PHILADELPHIA (Sept. 14, 2004) � The National Constitution Center and Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA) today kicked off their I Signed the Constitution celebration with a program at the National Constitution Center on Independence Mall, Philadelphia. U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit Judge Mike Fisher joined with National Constitution Center President and CEO Richard Stengel and PBA President Michael Reed to talk with over 200 Pennsylvania high school students about the U.S. Constitution.

�The theme for the PBA�s celebration this year is �Free to Make a Difference,� said PBA President Reed. �As Americans, we are free to speak, free to think, free to be�free. We live in a country where our government is governed by our Constitution, and the success of that process is based upon every citizen�s involvement. By voting, going to school, volunteering and working, we all have the ability, opportunity and freedom to truly make a difference.�

The I Signed the Constitution program is a national celebration commemorating the signing of the Constitution. Since 1991, an estimated three million people have participated in mock Constitution signings at national parks, libraries, schools and malls across America. The purpose of the program is to increase awareness and understanding of the Constitution, its history and its relevance. The PBA works with the National Constitution Center to bring this program to thousands of students across Pennsylvania.

�As the 217th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution approaches on Sept. 17, the National Constitution Center is pleased to join in this celebration with the Pennsylvania Bar Association for Pennsylvania�s schools,� Stengel said. �Programs like I Signed the Constitution instill the values of democracy and active citizenship in young people, and in doing so, encourage lifelong civic participation.�

More than 200 high school students from Blair, Monroe, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties attended today�s kick-off at the National Constitution Center. Norristown Area High School senior Tinuke Oyelfule talked with students about this year�s theme and her view of the U.S. Constitution as it relates to students. The choir from the Creative and Performing Arts High School of Philadelphia provided musical performances. At the conclusion of the program, all of the students and speakers took part in a mock U.S. Constitution signing.

Schools representing dozens of Pennsylvania counties will host local mock U.S. Constitution signing programs. Many local bar associations are partnering with schools by helping them to sponsor signing programs. Judges, lawyers and legislators from across the commonwealth also will be working with schools to participate in activities.

For more information on the I Signed the Constitution program, visit the National Constitution Center�s Web site at www.constitutioncenter.org or the Pennsylvania Bar Association�s Web site at www.pabar.org.

Contacts:
Marcy Mallory & Jennifer Branstetter, Ph: 800-932-0311
Pennsylvania Bar Association

PJ Coleman, Program, 215-409-6629; Emily Murray, Media, 215-409-6693
National Constitution Center