SENATE REPORT
Senator John Loudon

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- December 4, 2003

SEN. JOHN LOUDON SPONSORS BILL OF RIGHTS ESSAY CONTEST FOR ALL 11th AND 12th GRADE STUDENTS IN 7th SENATORIAL DISTRICT

JEFFERSON CITY -- Sen. John Loudon, R-West St. Louis County, has joined with the Missouri Press Association and the Missouri Bar Association in sponsoring a Bill of Rights Essay Contest for all high school juniors and seniors in the 7th Senatorial District.

"In this time of political strife both at home and abroad, it is especially important to remember the principles we all value and that make this country so unique," said Loudon. "These rights are the foundation of this great country, and I want to encourage the next generation of leaders to be aware of that."

The contest is open to all high school junior and seniors in the 7th Senatorial District. All entries must be between 350 to 500 words in length, and must answer the question: "Which Amendment of the Bill of Rights is the Most Important and Why?" Entries must be postmarked by Dec. 31, 2003.

A panel will judge all entries, and winners of the three top essays will receive the following:

In addition, all three contest winners will be invited to attend the opening day of the Missouri General Assembly on Jan. 7, 2004, and will be introduced on the Senate floor by Sen. Loudon.

During the 2002 legislative session, Loudon passed legislation designating Dec. 15 as the Bill of Rights Day in Missouri.

"All of the articles and clauses in the Constitution outline how government works, how power is divided between the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government," Loudon said. "The Bill of Rights puts restrictions on the government to preserve several individual rights. These are the rights that for over 200 years men and women have fought to defend."

On Dec. 15, 1791, the first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution, also known as the Bill of Rights, was ratified.

"The Constitution of the United States might never have become the law without the Bill of Rights," said Loudon. "Several states refused to join the Union without a Bill of Rights that limited federal power and protected individual rights."

All contest entries should be sent to Sen. John Loudon, Senate Post Office, Jefferson City, Mo., 65101. For additional information on the Bill of Rights Essay Contest contact Loudon's Jefferson City office, (573) 751-9763.