Park University celebrated Constitution Day from Tuesday, Sept. 16, through Thursday, Sept. 18, with special speakers visiting campus.

Organized by the History, Political Science and Legal Studies departments, two formers U.S. Congress members Jack Buechner and Nick Lampson hosted a presentation on the topic, “A More Perfect Constitution: Proposals for a 28th Amendment.”

According to a press release, Constitution Day – or as it is often called Citizenship Day – is federally mandated for higher education institutions which receive federal funding.

“The legislation was enacted in 2004 and implemented by the U.S. Department of Education in 2005.

“It celebrates the adoption of the U.S. Constitution and those who have become U.S. citizens,” the press release stated.

The main event was held Sept.17, in the McCoy Meetin’ House.

“This discussion crosses over and touches every program and discipline at Park,” said James Pasley, professor of Political Science and associate dean for the School of Social Science.

Many small activities occurred throughout the Constitution Day celebration including a radio interview with two former congressmen, who also spoke at the main event.

One of those activities include a radio interview with Park University student Rita Stotlemrye during her Wednesday morning broadcast on 90.5 KGSP Pirate Radio.

Jack Buechner, a member of the Republic party who served Missouri’s 2nd District, representing the St. Louis and St. Charles areas, said his passion for politics came from other members of his family.

“My grandfather was a very active Republican party worker then I was active in local politics,” he said.

“One day I walked by the county court house and they had a new district line for a state legislature. I went up and I ran for the State House”

Nick Lampson, a member of the Democratic party and the U.S. House of Representative from 1997 to 2008, got involved with politics while he was in college.

“It was through involvement in student politics,” he said. “I had the opportunity to meet the governor of Texas, John Connally, and he took the time to talk to me. I asked him ‘How did you know what to do when you grow up?’ and he told me about his involvement with student government, his struggles to get to college, he had to work.

“And, the thing he has said fit with the things in my own life and he challenged me to give a certain amount of myself to public services.”

Both Buechner and Lampson also talked about their involvement in the United States Association of Former Members of Congress.

One of their major tasks is to send former members to colleges campuses in order to inspire students into public service and prepare them for leadership roles.

“This is our own little opportunity to make people act,” Buechner said.

He also added of why it is important for students and community members to attend events like the Constitution Day event, especially those where political members will be present.

“Expressing their views it’s important but also as important as finding out if somebody else in the room has a different opinion,” Buechner said.