WHEREAS, September 17, 2025, marks the 238^th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution of the United States of America, the living document that bolsters and guides America’s democracy; and

WHEREAS, Virginia’s founding fathers were among the original framers of the United States Constitution, including three notable Virginians – George Washington, president of the Convention; James Madison, Jr., “Father of the Constitution”; and John Blair, a signer; and

WHEREAS, Virginia’s own Declaration of Rights, authored by George Mason, was later used as a model for the first ten amendments to our nation’s Constitution – later known as the Bill of Rights; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Plan, authored by James Madison, Jr., informed Madison’s significant contributions to the drafting and ratification of the United States Constitution; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, authored by Thomas Jefferson, was one of the most important documents in early Virginia and United States history, and was the driving force behind the religious clause in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that was ratified in 1791, along with the other nine amendments; and

WHEREAS, the history, significance, and effect of the provisions in the Constitution and its amendments are essential knowledge for all citizens, beginning with Virginia’s students; and

WHEREAS, the content and concepts included in our Charters of Freedom, our founding documents, serve as a foundation for civics instruction in Virginia’s schools; and

WHEREAS, knowledge of the sacrifices made for freedom, as well as the values and principles on which this country was founded, is an integral part of civics and government education for our students and is vital to preparing Virginia’s youth to be responsible citizens; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth is preparing to commemorate Virginia’s role in the 250^th anniversary of American independence and the opportunity to educate, engage, and inspire Virginians about our history, foundational values, and beliefs that capture Virginia’s story and role in shaping the nation; and

WHEREAS, citizens of the Commonwealth are encouraged to reaffirm the ideals that the framers of the Constitution had in 1787 by vigilantly protecting our liberties and helping our young people understand the importance of our Constitution and the freedoms it guarantees;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize September 14-20, 2025, as CONSTITUTION WEEK in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all of our citizens.