Earlier this week, we observed the 230th anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights. Every December 15th is Bill of Rights Day, a day we celebrate our God-given rights guaranteed as American citizens by the first ten Amendments to the United States Constitution.
Authored by the First Continental Congress and ratified in 1791, the United States Bill of Rights stands today as much more than just a 652-word document. It is a powerful symbol of freedom as it has inspired and served as a beacon of light for those fighting government oppression around the world.
I am proud to serve as a member of the 117th Congress and continue the legacy of defending citizens’ individual liberties by serving the people of Iowa’s Second District and following the framework outlined in the Constitution.
The freedoms of speech, religion, and association, the rights to bear arms, to legal representation, and a fair speedy trial by a jury of one’s peers without the concern of government intervention or oppression are part of the reason that America is the greatest country on Earth.
I am thankful every day to be an American and to have the opportunity to serve this great nation and protect our freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution. This is a critical time to reflect on the importance of our God-given rights—the Bill of Rights and the U.S. Constitution—and we should continue to do everything in our power to ensure those rights will be guaranteed for generations to come.
Mariannette Miller-Meeks is a resident of Ottumwa who currently represents Iowa’s Second District in the United States House of Representatives.