HARRISBURG (Sept. 17, 2001) - Pennsylvania First Lady Michele Ridge today joined with more than 750 elementary school students from the Hollidaysburg area for the kick-off ceremony for the statewide �I Signed the Constitution� celebration, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Bar Association.

"This program provides an excellent opportunity for students to learn about the Constitution through hands-on experiences and to gain an understanding of the vital role that our Commonwealth played in our nation's history," said Mrs. Ridge. "I am pleased to be joining leaders from across Pennsylvania to create greater awareness about this important document and its effect on our past-- and more importantly-- our future."

Mrs. Ridge was joined by U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster, state Senate President Pro Tempore Robert Jubelirer, state Rep. Jerry Stern, PBA President H. Reginald Belden Jr. and more than 750 local students for a special ceremony focusing on how the Constitution affects the lives of citizens. The ceremony, which was broadcast by the Pennsylvania Cable Network, also featured student theatrical and musical performances relating to the Constitution. The ceremony was held at the Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School, Hollidaysburg.

�The theme of this year�s celebration is Symbols of Freedom,� said PBA President H. Reginald Belden Jr. �Everywhere we go, we are surrounded by the symbols of freedom made possible by the Constitution, such as American flags flying over buildings, newspapers appearing on doorsteps, citizens entering election booths. It is important for us to remind students of our symbols of freedom and help them to understand why they are so precious.�

Following the ceremony, schools throughout the commonwealth were scheduled to host local programs featuring local judges, lawyers and/or legislators as speakers and local signings of the mock Constitution. The Constitution scrolls signed by the students will be sent to the new National Constitution Center in Philadelphia for display.

The Constitution signing ceremony was the third annual statewide coordinated signing effort sponsored by the Pennsylvania Bar Association, in conjunction with the National Constitution Center and local bar associations. This year�s celebration will continue through December 17, which is the beginning of �Bill of Rights Week.� Schools across the commonwealth will hold mock Constitution signing events throughout the fall.

Pennsylvania�s �I Signed the Constitution� program is part of the larger national celebration of the U.S. Constitution. Since 1993, an estimated 1.7 million people have signed the Constitution at national parks, libraries, schools and malls across America. The purpose of the program is to increase the awareness and understanding of the Constitution, its history and its relevance.

For more information on the �I Signed the Constitution� Program and the national celebration of the U.S. Constitution, visit the National Constitution Center�s Web site at www.constitutioncenter.org. For more information on Pennsylvania�s program, visit the Pennsylvania Bar Association�s Web site at www.pabar.org.