Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam and Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale presented the Daughters of the American Revolution's Knox County Council of Regents with a proclamation declaring Sept. 17-23 as "Constitution Week" in Knoxville and Knox County.

 The presentation took place on Sept. 13, in Mayor Haslam's office.

Among the goals of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution are the promotion of preservation, education and patriotism.

The DAR is also active in the naturalization ceremonies here in Knoxville during which hundreds of people become citizens of the United States. Constitution Week, which is observed nationally, commemorates the 219th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787. The DAR successfully petitioned Congress in 1955 to set aside this week annually to celebrate the Constitution of the United States.

According to the group's website the week has three primary goals including, emphasizing citizens' responsibilities to protect and preserve the Constitution, reminding people that the document is the basis for America's way of life and encouraging the study of the events leading up to the framing of the constitution this month 219 years ago.

Ollie Ellison, regent of the Bonny Kate Chapter, said the week not only commemorates the respect that Americans have for our governing document but also helps educate our citizens, especially the younger ones, concerning its history and principles. As part of Constitution Week all schools receiving federal funds teach students about the document during the week.

Among the DAR members who attended the presentation were, Carol Robbins, first vice regent of the Andrew Bogle Chapter; Ollie Ellison, regent of the Bonny Kate Chapter; Martha Kroll, regent of the Samuel Frazier Chapter; Evelyn T. Carter, regent of the Admiral David Farragut Chapter and Pat Hunter, historian of the Bonny Kate Chapter.