Day 53 of 110: Constitution Week and Gertrude

Miss Gertrude S. Carraway, while President General of NSDAR, was responsible for the annual designation of September 17-23 as Constitution Week. The DAR made its own resolution for Constitution Week, which was adopted April 21, 1955.

Members of the United States Congress received the DAR resolution and on June 7, 1955, the resolution was discussed in the Senate. The first resolution to observe Constitution Week was made June 14, 1955, by Senator William F. Knowland of California. Following the passage of the resolution by both Houses of Congress, President Eisenhower issued his proclamation on August 19, 1955.

The first observance of Constitution Week was so successful that on January 5, 1956, Senator Knowland introduced a Senate Joint Resolution to have the President designate September 17-23 annually as Constitution Week. The resolution was adopted on July 23 1956, and signed into Public Law 915 on August 2, 1956.

For his patriotic aid and interest, Senator Knowland received an Award of Commendation from the Continental Congress, NSDAR, in April 1956.