The political principles that represented the foundations of the Constitution-federalism, checks and balances, separation of powers, concurrent majorities, and limited government-are just as relevant for this country as it approaches its bicentennial as they were for Madison, Hamilton, and Washington nearly 200 years ago. It is my hope that whatever form of commemoration emerges from the congressional process, it will focus closely upon these concepts and their contribution to the American experience.

There are two bills that are presently before this committee that would establish a commemoration process for the Constitution bicentennial-S. 477 introduced by the distinguished Senator from Maryland, Senator Mathias, and Senate Joint Resolution 33 introduced by the distinguished North Carolina Senator, Senator Helms. There are a great many similarities between these measures.

Let me outline briefly those elements that I believe to be important to the process for commemoration created by this committee. First, I would hope that it would recognize that a commemoration must be true to the Constitution in that it should recognize an active role for the States. Washington cannot be the focus of all activity.

Second, I would hope that it would recognize that a commemoration must be true to the Constitution in that it should recognize an active role for the private sector. Already private organizations have done a great deal to develop interest in the bicentennial and to outline a wide variety of means by which our Nation can give honor to our Constitution. The Government cannot be the focus of all activity.

Third, while the fireworks and glamour of our Revolutionary Bicentennial were impressive, I would hope that a commemoration would encourage among the people a deeper understanding of what the Constitution is all about. There is a need for celebration, but there is also a need for reflection.

Fourth, I would hope that the diversity of understanding that exists in this country about the Constitution and its provisions will be reflected in its commemoration. There will be no "party line" on what is most important about the Constitution.

I have my own views about this, as do each of my colleagues, and as do each of those in this room here today. These differences must be recognized and respected.

Finally, I would hope that we could bring into the commemoration process as many individuals and as many organizations as possible. The Constitution does not belong to lawyers, and it does not belong to academicians. It does not belong to Members of Congress. It belongs to each of the citizens of our country who live under a Government subject to its powers and limitations.

[The bills introduced by Senators Helms, Mathias, and Specter follow:]

97TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION

S. J. RES. 33

To establish a commission to plan for the two hundredth anniversary celebration of the birth of our Constitution.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

FEBRUARY 24 (legislative day, FEBRUARY 16), 1981

Mr. HELMS introduced the following joint resolution; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

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JOINT RESOLUTION

To establish a commission to plan for the two hundredth
anniversary celebration of the birth of our Constitution.

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives 2 of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 3 That this Act may be cited as the "Constitution Bicentennial 4 Observance Act".

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SEC. 2. (a) As this Nation approaches the bicentennial 6 of the formulation and ratification of. the United States Con7 stitution and the historic events preceding and associated 8 with the United States Constitution which are of such major 9 significance in the development of our national heritage of

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1 individual liberty, representative government, and the attain2 ment of equal and inalienable rights and which have also had 3 so profound an influence throughout the world, it is appropri4 ate and desirable to provide for the observation and com5 memoration of this anniversary and these events through 6 local, State, National, and international activities planned, 7 encouraged, developed, and coordinated by a national com8 mission representative of appropriate public and private au9 thorities and organizations.

10 (b) There is hereby established a commission to be 11 known as the United States Constitution Bicentennial Com12 mission (hereinafter referred to as the "Commission") to 13 plan, encourage, develop, and coordinate the commemoration 14 of the United States Constitution bicentennial.

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(c) The Commission shall be composed of the following 16 members:

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(1) Four Members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate.

(2) Four Members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Repre

sentatives.

(3) The Secretary of State, the Attorney General, the Librarian of Congress, the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, the Archivist of the United States,

and the Chairman of the Federal Council on the Arts

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and the Humanities, all of whom shall be ex officio

members of the Commission.

(4) Four members of the Federal judiciary to be appointed by the Chief Justice of the United States.

(5) Twenty-five members who are not otherwise employees or officers of the United States appointed by the President, no more than thirteen of whom may be identified with any one political party. Such members shall be so chosen as to be broadly representative of the Nation's people, and one member shall be designated as the Chairman by the President.

(d) Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner in

13 which the original appointments were made.

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SEC. 3. (a) It shall be the duty of the Commission to 15 prepare an overall program for commemorating the bicenten16 nial of the United States Constitution, and to plan, encour17 age, develop, and coordinate observances and activities com18 memorating the historic events that preceded, and are associ19 ated with, the United States Constitution. The program for 20 commemorating the bicentennial of the United States Consti21 tution shall be celebrated over a three-year period, each year 22 being devoted to the relationship between, and the historical 23 development of, the three branches of government, and the 24 formation and establishment of the United States Constitu25 tion.

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(b) In preparing its plans and program, the Commission

2 shall give due consideration to any related plans and pro3 grams developed by State and local governments, and private 4 groups, and it may designate special committees with repre5 sentatives from such bodies to plan, develop, and coordinate 6 specific activities.

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7 (c) In all planning the Commission shall give special 8 emphasis to the ideas associated with the Constitution which 9 have been so important in the development of the United 10 States, in world affairs, and in mankind's quest for freedom. (d) Not later the two years after the date of the approval 12 of this joint resolution, the Commission shall submit to the 13 President a comprehensive report incorporating its specific 14 recommendations for the commemoration of the bicentennial 15 and related events. This report may recommend activities 16 such as, but not limited to, the following:

(1) the production, publication, and distribution of books, pamphlets, films, and other educational materials focusing on the history, culture, and political thought of the period of the United States Constitution;

(2) bibliographical and documentary projects and

publications;

(3) conferences, convocations, and lectures, semi

nars, and other programs;