Checks and balances

Liberty’s Center for Law and Government to host Constitution Week in Sept.

Liberty University’s Center for Law and Government is hosting the first school-wide Constitution Week, Sept. 18- Sept. 22 at various locations on Liberty’s campus.

The free event is inspired by the 230th anniversary of the adoption of the U.S. Constitution.

Former U.S. Rep. Robert Hurt has propelled the event and encourages all students to attend in some capacity.

An eclectic group of successful public servants will be speaking during Constitution Week.

These individuals will come together to create a holistic picture of American government for the Liberty students invited to attend.

The theme of the week-long event is the separation of powers—reviewing checks and balances that hold the American government
together.

Dean Shawn Akers of the Helms School of Government emphasized the importance of celebrating the Constitution.

“The United States Constitution is truly one of the marvels of the world,” Akers said.

“(It is) a 4-page document that has held our nation together and protected our liberties for 230 years.”

Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit is set to speak Sept. 20 concerning the freedoms for American citizens written into the fabric of the Constitution.

Wilkinson was appointed by Ronald Reagan and was considered for the Supreme Court in 2005.

He is the author of the book “All Falling Faiths” which is a personal story about how the 1960s affected the politics and faith of today.

Wilkinson made headlines in May when he recused himself from a hearing against the Trump travel ban due to personal reasons.

Rep. Bob Goodlatte and Judge Steve Agee of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th District, will discuss the powers of their prospective branches, as differentiated in Article 3 of the Constitution.

“How interesting will it be to hear them (Goodlatte and Agee) talk about the powers and the limitations that Congress has as it relates to the judiciary,” Hurt said.

“Likewise, the powers and the limitations that the judiciary has as it relates to Congress.”

On Sept. 21, Mike McCurry, the former press secretary under former President Clinton, and Tim Goeglein, the former White House special assistant to the president under George Bush, will discuss the powers of the executive branch as outlined in Article 2 of the Constitution.

McCurry and Goeglein will also discuss the relationship between the president and the media.

Later in the day, the former deputy campaign manager for President Trump, David Bossie, will examine the president’s relationship with Congress and discuss his experience in a presidential campaign.

Then, at 7 p.m., two members of the legislature will weigh-in on the limits of power among the three branches of government.

Sen. Tim Scott and representative and chairman on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Trey Gowdy, intend to talk about the relationship between the Senate and House, followed by a Q&A.

Scott rattled online media platforms with his op-ed in CNN regarding the events in Charlottesville in August.

The first Constitution Week will conclude with Scott and Gowdy stepping up to the Convocation stage Friday, the 22nd.

“My main goal is for the students to leave having learned something, having a renewed appreciation for the Constitution and the freedoms it protects,” said Hurt.

ABBATACOLA is a news writer.

 

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