Liberty celebrates National Constitution Week with special guests

Congressman Bob McEwen speaks at Wednesday’s convocation in the Vines Center.

Liberty University is celebrating National Constitution Week by welcoming three influential political leaders to address the student body.

On Wednesday, Congressman Bob McEwen visited Liberty to attend a reception at the Helms School of Government and address students at convocation.

McEwen served as the representative for Ohio in the United States House of Representatives for six terms. While in office, McEwen and United States Sen. Robert Dole participated as United States observers in Warsaw, Poland, to the first-ever parliamentary election of a non-Communist leader of a Soviet bloc country, which resulted in the destruction of the Berlin Wall.

McEwen is a leading advocate for pro-family interests and free-market economics, which has given him the opportunity to speak to many worldwide.

McEwen opened convocation with Psalm 139:13-14: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” He used the verse as a foundational truth that he built on by saying that as Americans we value our individualism. He said the founding fathers were individual citizens who created a constitution that would ensure that the government serves the people.

“The greater the government, the greater the poverty,” McEwen said. 

He then proposed that the reason why America is such a blessing compared with all other countries is because we hold the value of individualism sacredly, which lends a hand to free enterprise.

“In America, when trying to earn money we think, ‘What can I do to bless that person in exchange for monetary gain?’ But other countries practice coercion so that you have no choice but to give money.”

McEwen used the story of Flight 93 and the heroic feat that the passengers accomplished on Sept. 11, 2001, to prove that citizens are the ones who make America the blessing that it is. 

“It is not the government that has made America a blessing, but each individual American.” 

In closing, McEwen left Liberty students with a challenge to exercise their unique qualities, granted to each by God, to stand up for their country and register to vote because of those who have gone before them to die for their freedom.  

Also on Wednesday, Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr., announced a relevant issue to the Constitution theme concerning a school principal in Florida being charged as a criminal for praying over a meal at a school function. He introduced Mathew D. Staver, dean of Liberty University School of Law, who spoke briefly about the case that he would be defending the next day, Thursday, Sept. 17 — Constitution Day,  the anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787.

Well-known author and evangelical David Barton kicked off the week at Monday’s convocation. Barton is the Founder and President of WallBuilders, a national pro-family organization that seeks to encourage citizens to become involved with legislation to infuse values into their communities through the government. He also serves as a consultant to legislators and has participated in cases at the Supreme Court.

This year Barton was named by “Time Magazine” as one of America’s 25 most influential evangelicals for his involvement with separation between church and state issues as well as his influential books about faith and government.

Wrapping up the week at Friday’s convocation will be Herman Cain, Executive Officer and President of “THE New Voice Inc.,” a business consulting company, and “head coach” of “Herminator’s Intelligent Thinkers Movement” that works to put the American citizens back in control of government policies.

As the recipient of eight honorary doctorates, Cain has been influential in many political and business organizations. Cain is passionate about standing for what he believes and encouraging others to do the same through his many motivational speeches and radio talk show.

In conclusion of National Constitution Week, Liberty will host a forum following Friday’s convocation to discuss how young people can make an impact in politics and ultimately make America a better place.