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

The presentation took place during a meeting in Mayor Haslam's office on Tuesday, September 16.

The DAR was instrumental in the creation of Constitution Week successfully petitioning Congress in 1955 to set aside this week each year to commemorate the document that is the foundation of our liberties and form of government.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed it into law the following year.

The United States Constitution was adopted on Sept. 17, 1787 and this year's Constitution Week commemorates the 221st anniversary of that event.

According to the Knox County Council, the goals of the Constitution Committee of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution are to emphasize, understand, study and promote the historical events that led to our freedom.

In addition to supporting Constitution Week the DAR is also active in supporting the naturalization ceremonies in Knoxville during which several hundred people become new citizens of the United States.

During this week all schools receiving federal funds devote part of their curriculum to teaching students about the Constitution and what it means to the nation and its citizens.

The DAR Regents who met with the mayors on Tuesday included, Martha Cummings of the Emory Road Chapter; Carol Robbins of the Andrew Bogle Chapter; Martha Kroll of the Samuel Frazier Chapter; Nancy J. Montgomery of the James White Chapter; Caroline Murphy of the University of Tennessee Chapter; Alycia Truett of the Cavett Station Chapter; Nancy Webb of the Admiral David Farragut Chapter and Margaret Kensinger of the Bonny Kate Chapter.