On Friday, Sept. 12, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee will host a special event to celebrate Constitution Day with a public reading of the United States Constitution. The ceremony will take place on the steps of the Joel W. Solomon Federal Building in Chattanooga from 11:30 a.m. to approximately 12:45 p.m.
Open to all, the event invites members of the community to join the Court and local bar associations in commemorating the founding document that defines and protects the nation’s principles and freedoms. Participants will have the opportunity to read one of the 110 short segments of the Constitution, each lasting about a minute or less.
Those wishing to read can check in at the bottom of the courthouse steps on a first-come, first-served basis, and attendees may arrive at any time during the program while readings are still available.
In advance of the celebration, U.S. District Judge Charles Atchley speaks about the significance of Constitution Day, the importance of civic engagement, and what attendees can expect from this year’s event.
Why does the court celebrate Constitution Day each year?
“The Constitution is the bedrock of our legal system and the foundation of all our laws. Any law passed by the legislature and enacted must comply with the Constitution. That’s why it’s important for people to understand not only what the Constitution says but also what it doesn’t say. It’s also very important for the public to have an appreciation for it, because it’s so fundamental to our form of government.”
Why host it on the courthouse steps?
“First, because it increases engagement, and second, because it makes it easier for people to participate. They can come for a few minutes or stay for the whole event, and they don’t have to go through security, which makes access much simpler. Every year, we have people who didn’t even know it was happening, who just happen to pass by and decide to stay for a bit. Invariably, someone will come up afterward – or even during the event – and say how much they enjoyed it and appreciated the experience. We allow people to sign up in advance if they’d like to participate, but it’s not required. Many times, people will simply get in line and read their section.”
How can this event inspire greater civic awareness among members of the Chattanooga community?
“Civic engagement and civic awareness have declined over the last few decades. I don’t want to sound critical of our public school systems – I think they do a really good job, often under difficult circumstances – but they have so many subjects to cover that civics has, unfortunately, fallen by the wayside. It’s important for people to understand how our government works, as I mentioned earlier, because there are a lot of misconceptions out there. With the internet and other forms of media, people often encounter misinformation and come away with the wrong idea about what our government can and cannot do. This event is one step toward increasing that awareness and fostering a greater appreciation for our form of government, which is, honestly, unique in the world.”
Why make the public part of the reading rather than having officials or judges do it exclusively?
“Because our Constitution applies to everyone – it’s everybody’s document. My role in the court system is to interpret and apply it, but ultimately, it belongs to all of us. It protects everyone and serves as the foundation of our government. That’s why it’s important for people who aren’t exposed to it every day, as I am, to have an opportunity to participate in some way. We sometimes have schoolchildren come and read segments, and we see people from all walks of life take part. In my view, it’s even more important for the general public to participate than for the court itself. We simply organize the event – the experience is really for them.”
In your view, what role does the Constitution continue to play in shaping modern America, nearly 240 years after it was signed?
“It’s still the foundation of everything. As I mentioned earlier, any law that’s enacted – anything passed and signed into law – must comply with the Constitution. All of our rules and regulations, even administrative rules, must also comply with it, and if they don’t, they can’t be enforced. So, it plays a critical role. people sometimes receive inaccurate information or become confused about what the Constitution says and doesn’t say. The best way to address that is for people to read it themselves – or at least hear it being read.”
As a federal judge, what does the Constitution mean to you personally, and how does it guide your work on the bench?
“It governs many of the civil and criminal cases that come before me. But it also means a great deal to me personally because it’s the document that created the position I hold. My role is established in Article III of the United States Constitution, which creates our judiciary, and it’s from there that I derive both the authority and the ability to do my job.”
What do you hope younger participants or students take away from this experience?
“I hope they come away with an understanding of just how unique this document is. As you pointed out, it’s 240 years old, yet it remains highly relevant today. By fostering an appreciation for it in young people, we can hopefully encourage them to grow up respecting it and engaging with it in ways that support and uphold it.”
Why does collaboration with the legal community matter?
“We have an adversarial court system in the United States, where individuals on both sides of an issue have their own representation to advance their arguments. The lawyers are the ones who do that work, so it’s great to have them participate in this event as well. The legal community in Chattanooga has been very supportive – they’ll often come and read segments themselves. On nice days, a couple of law firms will even set up tables out front, bring members of their offices down and have lunch outside when the event falls on a Friday. Some of them will take turns reading portions of the Constitution. It creates a real sense of community, where lawyers who might face each other on opposite sides of cases can come together to celebrate something they all share and support.”
In past Constitution Day events, have there been any particularly memorable or meaningful moments that stand out to you?
“I’m not sure if it was last year or a couple of years ago, but we had a man come up – I believe he was homeless – and he stayed for a while, listening and asking a few questions. Then he asked if he could participate, and of course he could, so he did. It was a very uplifting moment. I don’t know what happened to him afterward, but I hope he was able to improve his circumstances, and I hope he left that day with more than he came with.”
Beyond Constitution Day, how can citizens continue to stay engaged with the principles and protections outlined in the Constitution?
“The No. 1 thing people can do – and this is the same advice I give to new citizens during naturalization ceremonies – is to vote. You have to participate. We live in a representative democracy where individuals choose the people they want to represent them in government, and if you don’t take part in that process, you give up your voice in how you’re governed. That’s the first step.
“The next step is to get more involved by staying informed. I encourage people to read about public affairs, current events and the news, and to engage with what’s happening around them. It’s important to understand exactly what is – and isn’t – going on in the world and to base your opinions on what you’ve learned yourself, not simply on what someone else has told you.”