Governor Cox Declares September as American Founders and Constitution Month

After passing H.B. 179 Founders and Constitution Recognition, September is now American Founders and Constitution Month. This initiative encourages educational institutions, civic organizations, and individuals to reflect on the values and history of the U.S. Constitution.

As part of this recognition, all Utah residents are encouraged to honor this month with appropriate celebrations, meetings, and educational programs. Governor Spencer J. Cox hopes to inspire a deeper understanding of the Constitution’s role in uniting our state through such efforts. We share the Governor’s letter to the Superintendent and associated declarations regarding the newly inaugurated month, and invite you to celebrate this month with us as we dedicate the following podcast to The Constitution. Read more below, and please visit us this Friday to hear our Superintendent and Provo High Social Studies Teacher Nathan Sauerbier discuss The Constitution.  

Constitution Letter to the Superintendent 

In a letter shared with our district, Governor Spencer Cox emphasized the ever-growing importance in bridging political divides and fostering goodwill amongst all American peoples, celebrating and studying the Constitution as the cornerstone for this unifying belief. 

For more than two centuries, the U.S. Constitution has remained the framework through which we reconcile our differing interests and peacefully progress as a nation. That is a remarkable achievement, especially for a nation as large and varied as ours. Our Constitution was the first of its kind but now nearly every nation of earth has one, with many modeled on ours. I am convinced the founders were inspired by God. I am also convinced the Constitution is a key to reuniting us as Americans. As we approach another deeply divisive election, both the spirit and the substance of our Constitution can help soften our animosity toward our fellow Americans and teach us how to make our disagreements constructive.

Presidents and governors have routinely issued proclamations following times of difficulties to unite the nation in thanksgiving and humility. September 17 is Constitution Day, and the entire month of September has been designated as American Founders and Constitution Month. Included with this letter are two declarations: one for American Founders and Constitution Month, and another for A Day of Prayer, Fasting and Contemplation. It is my hope that these declarations will inspire and encourage a month of reflection on the Constitution, a shift in our discourse, and more good faith towards our fellow Americans with whom we disagree.

I encourage you to recognize Sept. 17 as Constitution Day, and the entire month of September as American Founders and Constitution Month. As outlined in HB 179, a recently-passed bill in the Utah legislature, the purpose of this month is to encourage all civic, fraternal and religious organizations, and public and private educational institutions, to recognize and observe this occasion through appropriate programs, teaching, meetings, services, or celebrations in which state, county and local governmental officials are invited to participate.

One of the purposes of our state’s education system is to ensure our children know how to exercise their rights and liberties, as well as contribute to the public good, health, welfare, and security of the state and the nation (53E-2-201). I encourage all educational institutions to make every effort to reinforce our students’ understanding of the principles of freedom by reading directly from the Constitution and other primary documents that are critical in “promoting the general welfare” of all Americans. As you intentionally plan and meaningfully engage with our students to reinforce the primary purpose of the Constitution to “form a more perfect Union,” we will help ensure that the next generation of Utahns will “secure the Blessings of Liberty.”

The coming months will test our nation’s foundation. I believe the Constitution that once united our nation can do so again. A re-commitment to its principles—and remembering how to act together—can heal our deepest wounds. It is incumbent on every citizen to understand the miracle of our nation’s founding and the role we each play in this constitutional republic. As families and institutions devote themselves to a conscientious contemplation of the Constitution, our nation will find greater unity and newfound prosperity.

Signed by Governor Cox

A Day of Prayer, Fasting, and Contemplation Letter  

In his accompanying letter for A Day of Prayer, Fasting, and Contemplation, Governor Cox further reminds us of the historical importance of contemplation and reflection on the Constitution. Read his letter of declaration giving context to the House Bill below.

Whereas, written in 1787, the U.S. Constitution is the world’s longest-surviving written charter of government, and for more than two centuries, the U.S. Constitution has retained strong governmental powers to safeguard liberty and equality through the divinely inspired separation of and balanced powers of federal and state governments;

Whereas, this creation of the Constitution depended on the wisdom, experience and dedication of delegates, and the continuation of this fundamental framework depends on our knowledge of history and personal commitment to America’s foundational moral principles that all people are created equal and have unalienable rights bestowed upon them by their Creator;

Whereas, America has faced devastating trials and fortuitous triumphs. America has responded with prayer seeking courage, comfort and guidance;

Whereas, our presidents and governors throughout our nation’s history have issued proclamations of prayer, fasting, contemplation, thanksgiving and humility to unite the people of America and to observe with solemnity the many blessings that the United States has experienced;

Whereas, the Preamble to the Utah Constitution begins with “Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we, the people of Utah, in order to secure and perpetuate the principles of free government,” signifying the importance our state’s founders placed in faithful contemplation;

Whereas, we are a nation approaching a precipitous time in our democratic republic, and we must re-dedicate ourselves to the Constitutional framework that our founders fought, supported and died for, and we must learn from and understand the governing principles set forth in the Constitution;

Whereas, our nation is deeply divided on many issues, and the U.S. Constitution is central to depolarizing our nation and reuniting us as a people;

Whereas, the state of Utah joins with our nation’s first president, George Washington, in recommending “to all religious societies and denominations, and to all persons whomsoever, within the United States to set apart and observe… a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, and on that day to meet together and render their sincere and hearty thanks to the Great Ruler of Nations for the manifold and signal mercies which distinguish our lot as a nation, particularly for the possession of constitutions of government which unite and by their union establish liberty with order” and “at the same time humbly and fervently to beseech the kind Author of these blessings graciously to prolong them to us; to imprint on our hearts a deep and solemn sense of our obligations to Him for them; to teach us rightly to estimate their immense value;

Now, therefore, I, Spencer J. Cox, governor of the state of Utah, do hereby declare Sept. 1, 2024, as

A Day of Prayer, Fasting and Contemplation

Signed by Governor Cox

American Founders and Constitution Month Declaration

For all aforementioned purposes, Governor Cox inaugurated this month in a final declaration for American Founders and Constitution Month. This declaration calls attention to the exceptional nature of the U.S. Constitution and stresses the importance of educating the next generation about its history and purpose. It invites schools to actively teach students about the Constitution by directly reading primary documents, especially in preparation for Constitution Day. Read his final declaration on the newly founded American Founders and Constitution Month below.

Whereas, America’s constitutional form of government is exceptional and uniquely changed the course of history for the entire world;

Whereas, it is essential that the rising generation and citizens of all ages understand our history and form of government so it can be honored and perpetuated;

Whereas, America is founded on moral principles, including the sovereignty of the people and the belief that all people are created equal and have unalienable rights bestowed upon them by their Creator;

Whereas, the genius of the Constitution is its ability to decentralize power between the state and federal governments, known as federalism;

Whereas, all civic, fraternal, and religious organizations, and public and private educational institutions, have been encouraged to recognize and observe September as American Founders and Constitution Month via HB 179;

Whereas, HB 179 invites all Utah school children to read directly from the United States Constitution and other primary sources, with a special focus on Constitution Day, Sept. 17, and to be taught principles from the United States Constitution;

Whereas, we are a nation under God as evidenced by our pledge of allegiance and a nation that puts its trust in God as evidenced by our national motto, and many individuals acknowledge and show gratitude to God for His role in our nation’s origin and destiny;

Whereas, we show a spirit of patriotism for our nation and state by flying our national flag, engaging in other patriotic activities and educating ourselves about our U.S. Constitution;

Now, therefore, I, Spencer J. Cox, governor of the state of Utah, do at this moment declare September 2024 as

American Founders and Constitution Month in Utah.

Signed by Governor Cox

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