American Legion Post 83 celebrates Bill of Rights

Presenter: The Eugene City Council   honored America June 23 with a reading of the Bill of Rights. Here’s Mayor Kaarin Knudson:

Kaarin Knudson (Eugene, mayor): I want to just note that of course this is in recognition for the upcoming Independence Day holiday on the Fourth and so we will open this meeting with the reading of the Bill of Rights by William Vollmer, a 20-year U.S. Air Force veteran who achieved the rank of technical sergeant. And William now works as a counselor with Veterans Legacy at Camp Alma and serves as commander of American Legion Post 83.

William Vollmer (American Legion Post 83): The Constitution begins with the words: ‘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 Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.’

[00:00:49] The Constitution was signed on Sept. 17, 1787. Four years later, in 1791, the Constitution was further expanded and clarified with its first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights. It spells out Americans’ rights in relation to their government. They are as follows:

[00:01:06] Amendment I: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

[00:01:24] Amendment II: A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed.

[00:01:35] Amendment III: No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

[00:01:47] Amendment IV: The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

[00:02:11] Amendment V: No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger. Nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

[00:02:54] Amendment VI: In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.

[00:03:23] Amendment VII: In Suits at common law where the value in controversy shall exceed $20, the right of trial by a jury shall be preserved and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any other Court of the United States, than according to the rules of common law.

[00:03:42] Amendment VIII: Excessive bail should not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

[00:03:51] Amendment IX. The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

[00:04:01] Amendment X. The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

[00:04:13] Presenter: American Legion Post 83 helps the city of Eugene celebrate the Fourth of July, with a reading of the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution.