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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Lifestyle
Monday, May 17, 1999
Study club hears constitution program
The Modern Study Club met on April 14, at Calvary Baptist Church, at 3:30
p.m., for an Americanism Department program. The thought-quote for the
meeting was, "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more
perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide
for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings
of Liberty to ourselves and our Prosperity, do ordain and establish this
Constitution for the United States of America." - The Constitution for
the United States of America.
Margie Williamson, Americanism Department chairman, introduced Ken Garlitz
Texas History teacher at Zavala 7th Grade Middle School. Garlitz a long-time
Pecos teacher and former tennis coach, is a native of Balmorhea where he
graduated from Balmorhea High School Valedictorian. His college degree
was earned at the University of Texas and he is a Vietnam veteran.
Garlitz entitled his presentation the "Miracle of America," which is
the way both George Washington and Benjamim Franklin referred to the final
product of the constitution of the United States of America. This handout
was given to those present.
He stated that the Constitution is a living document created to provide
six fundamental purposes: 1. to form a more perfect union, 2. to establish
justice, 3. to ensure domestic tranquility, 4. to provide for a common
defense, 5. to promote the general welfare, and 6. to secure (make safe)
the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our prosperity. Garlitz continued
"Kept in a "golden-mean" (centered) by the three branches of government
and their intricate checks and balances, our Constitution created a federal
republic with political power resting in all voting citizens, but exercised
through elected representatives."
He also said that our founding fathers felt "too little" government
would result in anarchy, leading to chaos, and eventually mob rule. Today
we call this the "right wing." They also blieved "too much" government
would result in tyranny, leading to oppression and ultimately, one-man
rule. This is presently better known as the "left wing." As long as both
wings function effectively and simultaneously, the American Eagle (our
government) is able to fly higher and straighter than any other society
in existence.
In his final comments Garlitz told this story. As the last members were
signing the Constitution, Benjamin Franklin looked toward President Washington's
chair, on the back of which was painted a sun on the horizon, and observed,
"During our long discussion I have often wondered whether that painted
sun was rising or setting. But now, at length, I have the happiness to
know that it is a rising, and not a setting sun."
Then he closed with these thoughts - A nation passes from bondage to
spiritual faith; from spiritual faith to great courage; from courage to
liberty; from librty to abundance; from abundance to selfishness; from
selfishness to complacency; from complacency to apathy; from apathy to
dependency, and from dependency back to bondage. Do you ever wonder where
we are as a nation today?
President Lena Harpham conducted the business meeting. The Club Collect
was led by Doris Moorman and the Pledges to the United States of America
Flag and the Texas Flag were led by Catherine Travland. Members repeated
all three in unison.
The minutes of the previous meeting was read by Bobbi Lang, secretary,
and Pearl Gustafson, treasurer, presented a report of club finances.
Joyce Morton, TFWC Western District Arts and Crafts chairman, encouraged
Club members to have their arts and crafts items ready to enter at the
39th Annual Spring Convention of the Western District of Federation of
Women's Clubs to be held on April 16-17, in Monahans.
Roll call was answered with the names of two of the signers of the Declaration
of Independence.
Hostesses Hazel Barmore and Juracy McCall used a spring centerpiece
to decorate the serving table. Italian Cream Cake, punch and coffee were
served to guest Ken Garlitz and members Mary Barfield, Pearl Gustafson,
Bobbie Lang, Doris Moorman, Joyce Morton, Iris Reddick, Etta Sullivan,
Laura Teal, Catherine Travland, and Margie Williamson.
Pecos Enterprise
York M. "Smokey" Briggs, Publisher
Division of Buckner News Alliance, Inc.
324 S. Cedar St., Pecos, TX 79772
Phone 915-445-5475, FAX 915-445-4321
e-mail news@pecos.net
Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
Copyright 1999 by Pecos Enterprise
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