Washington, DC—Today, Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT), the senior Republican and President Pro Tempore of the US Senate, spoke on the Senate floor in celebration of the Constitution being signed 231 years ago. The Senator highlighted the core principles outlined in the Constitution, noting that it sets the country apart as a symbol of freedom and prosperity across the globe. 

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“The Constitution is the culmination of centuries of human progress. We have a charge to fulfill its promises; we have a duty to uphold its principles. May we commit ourselves today, and every day, to defending the truths so eloquently articulated in the Constitution of the United States.”

The full remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below:

Today marks 231 years since the Founding Fathers signed a charter that would forever alter the course of human history: The US Constitution. This document serves as the foundation of our government, and we rightly celebrate its anniversary each year with Constitution Day. 

The Constitution establishes guiding principles that have served the American people well. The separation of powers, the rule of law, and our system of federalism work together toward the goal of preserving liberty. They have worked to secure individual rights against encroachment by the government.

The framers of the Constitution recognized that the government derived its power from the people. It overturned the prevailing wisdom that men are made for governments, declaring instead, that governments are made for men. These principles, and our nation’s dedication to them, are core to the American ethos. Today, they set our country apart as a symbol of freedom and prosperity across the globe. 

The Constitution is the culmination of centuries of human progress. We have a charge to fulfill its promises; we have a duty to uphold its principles. May we commit ourselves today, and every day, to defending the truths so eloquently articulated in the Constitution of the United States. 

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