thursday,september24, 1987
cabrinicollege,radnor,pa. 19087
vol. xxxiv,no. 2
Philadelphia celebrates'We the People' by Paula Phillips It
didn't
matter what
race, color, religion, sex or age, just that one was an American. For it was Thursday, Sept. 17, 1987, Constitution Day in the United States of America. The day, gloomy, rainy, and cloudy did not stop the celebration in Philadelphia. It began with a parade at 9 a.m. of floats and thousands of marchers. The parade included three parts: 1) a re-creation of the Grand Federal Procession, the parade held in 1788 to mark the ratification of the Constitution, 2) a tribute to the five themes from the Preamble of the Constitution, and 3) a parade of America's people from labor unions, churches, schools, fraternal organizations and the like. The parade was followed by a presidential address, a flyover Independence Hall by Air National Guard Jets, a release of red, white and blue balloons and doves to signify freedom. Other events included an elite gala at the Civic Center, a great American picnic at Penn's Landing, which lasted all day, a peaceful organiud demonstration against contra-aid, and the lighting of the Benjamin Franklin Bridgefollowed by fireworks over the Delware River. At 3:15 p.m., as the clouds disappeared, Chief Justice Warren Burger, chairman of the Federal Commission on the Bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution, presided over a ceremony in honor of the believed moment that the delegates of the 13 colonies signed the
Constitution. During the ceremony, 39 direct descendants of the signers of the Constitution reaffirmed the original momentthe Constitution was signed by signing a replica of the document. Some of the descendants of the original signers were Kathy Deegan, descendant of John Blair; Cathy Carroll, descendant of Daniel Carroll of Maryland; Judy Madison, descendant of James Madison from Virginia; Michael Castle, governor of Delware, and descendant of Benjamin Franklin from Philadelphia; and George Willis Tate, descendant of George Washington. All the descendants interviewed agreed that the weather really did not matter to the celebration because they were enjoying themselves. They were also honored to represent their descendants at this American celebration. The descendants commented on their heritage. Madison, a descendant of J runes Madison from Nashville, Tenn. expressed her feeling about being a descendant, "It is a great honor to represent my ancestor James Madison. I am very priviledged." When interviewing Tate from Irving, Ca. about the legacy of George Washington in his family, he replied, "I might be biologically related to George Washington but the Washington legacy belongs to all Americans." Children from all over the U.S., including territories such as Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, pledged their support to the (::onstitution. As the "signers of the future of democracy''· they recited their own pledge
and replied, "this is my Constution." Towards the end of the ceremony Burger stood up to address the audience. As he startedhis speech he spoke of the Constitution saying, "It is. the greatest work of government that has come out of the hand of man including lawyers, merchants and farmers." He spoke of the Constitution as being a model for all democratic countries, and referred to it as, c1the beginning of the end of the divine right of kings." Burger also included in his speech the three branches of government and described how . RAl)NOR they helped the government "pull the people not push them." fOWN. 'I-I IP As he concluded his speech, Burger and the children rang a replica of the Liberty Bell. This signaled the moment that the Constitution was signed. As the bell rang at Independence Hall, so did bells across the city, country and at Americain military and diplomatic installations .:uound the world. As the shot went around the world in 1776, during the revolution for freedom, so did the bells on Thursday. It was a symbol for all, reaffirming the 'We the People' banners fly throughout Wayne as everyone Constitution and pledging freetakes part In the gala festivities. (photo by Debbie Ferrar) dom. Moving through the George and Dorothy U.S. As the Preamble of the crowd, patriotism could be felt. Fryer from Warren,, CT <;<>~Constitution reads,"to form a Replicas of flags were held, pins, mented on_ the d~y! :Ve di~ t more perfect union, establishjusshirts and headbands were worn. need the r~ but 1t tsn t. stoppmg tice, provide for the common People came from all us fr~m haV1Dga good tune ...Our defense and promote the general over the world. Linda Young in favonte part of the day has been welfare." charge of "Info To Go" said, the parade. It was fantastic." Philadelphia threw a "There are people here from evOur Constitution for 200 grand party -- in PHilADELery state in the union as well as, years has established and upheld PHIA style. As Young said, "It's France, Germany, Greece, and. the government and has insured a shame we have to wait another even the Netherlands." our freedoms as citiuns of the· 200 years to throw another one."
Securityand residentlifestaff worktogether by Jacqui McClernan In conjunction with the resident life staff, security is working to beef up their end of the campus watch. "Part of the additional security is to alleviate the pressure of resident assistants and keep security in direct contact with them," John Doyle, assistant director of resident life, said. On the other hand, the resident assistants have mixed feelings about the new security system which requires security to visit each RA at 9:00 p.m., and call them again at midnight. "The RA's are. on duty and that should be enough; I'm sure it is hassle for them to have to call us at midnight and check in at nine," Marie Lis, senior, said. Betsy Mahoney, senior, resident assistant, said, "I am still getting used to it but when we had a house party I had to get
in touch with security about a potential fight and they were there pretty fast." James Fitzimmons, dean of students, said, "The primary reason this started was an initiation by Cabrini and also the student leaders to meet with security to improve the communications of the campus security and resident assistants." "The guards ¥e there to exchange information with the resident assistants," Fitzimmons said. Doyle said that the guards are suppose to enter the buildings and check them individually. "We want matching reports from both departments instead of two separate angles," Doyle said. Fitzimmons said that he hopes this will provide more student interaction and communication with the security guards so students would feel more comfortable calling them if needed.
inside perspectives.... 2 news ............ 3-4 features........ 5-6 sports .......... 7-8
"I would hope students would have no problem calling.security if they needed a ride or just someone to see them to their car," he said. A typical night shift for security involves approximately two checks with the resident assistants; opening and closing the cafeteria for housecleaning; checking the perimeters of the Mansion and courtyard; opening and locking Widener Center, Sacred Heart Hall, and the chapel, setting ·alarms at the communications center and cafeteria; and fmally vehicle and foot patrols about five times during the night of the various dorms, houses and entire campus. "I think security is 1000% better ---..:i this year in discipline without infringing Rick Scattergood, security guard, fills upon student rights," Doyle said. "They have evoked a message to campus that if outadailyactivitybul/etin. (photobyMike there is ever a problem to call." Stevenson)
Meet Loquitur's first person of the week Jeanne Fisher, theater director
(page 6)
Preview the women's tennis team
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