Bill of Rights Day, 2023
Courts and communities across the First Circuit will celebrate the Bill of Rights – the First Ten Amendments to the Constitution – on its anniversary December 15 and throughout the month of December.
Constitution Day, 2023
Constitution and Citizenship Day, observed on or around September 17th, finds schools in communities across the nation joining with federal courts to engage students in this important civic celebration. Throughout September, the United States Courts of the First Circuit recognized Constitution and Citizenship Day with several activities:
In the District of Puerto Rico, Escuela Libre de Musica’s Ernesto Ramos Antonini hosted a naturalization ceremony for thirty new U.S. citizens. Students joined provided additional musical support and a celebratory Color Guard followed.
In the District of Maine, Judge Walker administered the oath of citizenship at the University of Southern Maine; both students and community members were in attendance. Learn more about the program and read Judge Walker's remarks here: "Citizenship is an action word. When you take action, remember that America's advantage is the diversity of our people. So please share your art, share your music, share your language, and especially for me at any rate share your recipes with your fellow Americans. Again I don't know why everyone is laughing."
In the District of New Hampshire, Chief Judge Landya B. McCafferty presided over a naturalization ceremony hosted by Hanover High School with over 200 students as witnesses; following the ceremony, Justice Gordon MacDonald of the New Hampshire Supreme Court joined Chief Judge McCafferty in visits to classrooms for discussion about the Constitution and the federal courts.
The First Circuit Court of Appeals and Discovering Justice hosted Curry College students at the John J. Moakley Federal Courthouse, where Chief Judge David J. Barron met with students to describe the structure and function of the judiciary. Curry College covered this experiential learning visit here.
In the District of Massachusetts, Judge Patti B. Saris administered the oath of citizenship at the John J. Moakley Federal Courthouse. Students studying law with Karen Druffel at Framingham State University had the opportunity to talk to Judge Saris about the Constitution and the privileges and responsibilities of citizenship.
Massachusetts
Join us for a panel discussion between Lauren Stiller Rikleen, Judge Nancy Gertner (Ret.), Justice Fernande R. V. Duffly (Ret.), and Judge Angel Kelley, moderated by Judge Patti Saris. They will discuss the inequalities, bias, and other barriers that stood in the way of some of our most influential women judges and how they overcame them. The event is hosted by Discovering Justice, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, the U.S Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, the Women's Bar Association of Massachusetts, the Hampden County Bar Association, Citizens for Juvenile Justice, and the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association.
Bill of Rights Month Student Essay Contest
The Massachusetts Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, The United StatesDistrict Court for the District of Massachusetts, and Discovering Justice are partnering to host a Bill of Rights Month student essay contest, open to all high school students who reside in Massachusetts.
A judging committee comprised of federal judges and FBA board members will decide on the top three essays submitted. First, second, and third-place winners will receive a cash prize, along with honorable mentions. Finalists will have their essays published on the Court’s website, the First Circuit’s Civics website, and in both the Massachusetts FBA and Discovering Justice newsletter.
ELIGIBILITY
→ Open to all high school students residing in Massachusetts
→ Family members of USDC-MA staff, Dis- covering Justice staff, or FBA Board are not eligible to participate
CONSIDERATIONS
→ Structured, creative, and tightly-focused response that demonstrates a genuine grappling with the topic
→ Convincing arguments supported by specific examples
→ Carefully proofread for grammar and
punctuation
→ Please see the full list of requirements on the flyer below.
Start here:
RESOURCES
→ Court Shorts: Separation of Powers (U.S. Courts)
→ The Bill of Rights: What Does it Say? (National Archives)
→ Interactive Constitution (National Constitution Center)
HOW TO SUBMIT
→ Visit the following site: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2023BORContest
→ Fill out the form and press “Submit”
(Incomplete entries will not be considered!)
QUESTIONS?
→ Contact FBA Annabel Rodriguez
(anrodriguez@mwe.com) or Jennifer Denker (jdenker@meehanboyle.com)
See the flyer below for the rules and more information.
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To RSVP, please visit the link below:
https://forms.mad.uscourts.gov/black-history-month-roundtable.html
Kindly RSVP by February 19, 2024
Please use the link above to officially register. Direct questions to: Caleb_Houston@mad.uscourts.gov or (617) 748-9072
For more information about the Breyer Learning Center and Civics in the First Circuit, please contact:Allison Guenthner617-748-9347 |