Constitution distribution

The ladies of the Kootenai County Republican Women Federated group have ensured that area high-schoolers will have a copy of their own U.S. Constitution, just in time for Constitution Day.

Members of the Republican women's club distributed more than 2,000 pocket Constitutions to local high schools Thursday morning. Constitution Day is Saturday, marking the 235th anniversary of when the Founding Fathers signed the Constitution.

"These will go to our social studies students, juniors, seniors and anybody else who wants them," Venture High School Principal Teresa Kaiser said after receiving 40 Constitutions for her school.

"The history of the United States is really important at Venture," she said. "Teaching the students how to have a voice in civil matters is one of the most important things we teach — teaching them to be contributing members, to be civic-minded."

Constitution Day was established in 2004 with the passage of an amendment by the late Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va. Citizenship Day is also celebrated on this day. Constitution Week 2022 will be recognized Saturday through Friday.

During this time, Americans are encouraged to reflect on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and what it means to be a U.S. citizen.

Members of Kootenai County Republican Women Federated have delivered pocket Constitutions to local schools in commemoration of Constitution Day for at least 10 years.

"Year after year, we've been getting really good feedback from teachers from different schools," said Kootenai County Republican Women Federated President Carla Mattare. "They use our Constitution booklets throughout the year, not just on Constitution Day. They're very appreciative."