Congress Week

The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787. This short document not only recites personal liberties but also lays out the basic functions and structures of government. Today, Americans celebrate this landmark document that launched the first experiment in self-governance on Constitution Day or Citizenship Day. This day is the foundation for Congress Week.

Congress Week is a national initiative in April every year that promotes a greater understanding of the Legislative branch of government – critical in the checks and balances outlined in the Constitution. The goal of Congress Week is to provide a variety of contexts that encourage the public to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of this complex government body and its responsibilities to the public it serves, and to use this understanding to buttress their robust deliberation of the issues and policies facing them as citizens and constituents.

ACSC, in promoting the study of Congress, has identified themes for Congress Week that invite exploration, discussion, and discovery. ACSC planners envision Congress Week as a coordinated effort among congressional centers to offer a wide range of programs that highlight the functions, relationships, structures, and limitations of the largest elected body in United States. In keeping with the notion that, “all politics is local,” ACSC encourages it members nationwide to tailor Congress Week events to their own resources and audiences.