SALT LAKE CITY – On Friday, September 14, in celebration of the 225^th Anniversary of the U.S. Constitution, Senator Mike Lee will host the first annual “Constitution Bowl.” The competition format is based on the game show “Jeopardy,” and will feature teams of students from four local youth councils including Taylorsville, Cottonwood Heights, North Salt Lake, and West Point.  Senator Lee will moderate the event and ask the “answers” along with Speaker of the House Rebecca Lockhart and Murray Mayor Dan Snarr. 

“While most Americans are familiar with how the Constitution was created, too few know what our founding document says and what it really means,” said Sen. Lee, a former constitutional lawyer and clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito. “This event is fun way to get students and the public to not only learn about the text of the Constitution and how our national, state, and local governments are structured, but also engage in a larger discussion about our founding principles and the proper role of government in our lives.” 

The Utah League of Cities and Towns is cosponsoring the event and will award the winners with an all expenses paid trip to visit Washington, DC to meet with Senator Lee and visit various attractions in our nation’s capital. 

“Students, their parents, small business owners, public officials, and Americans across the country are acutely aware of the many challenges our country faces.  The good news is that the solutions are found in the Constitution – that enduring document which has provided the roadmap for civil society for almost 225 years,” Lee added.  “I hope this annual event popularizes the Constitution in a way that reinforces the important role it still plays in determining America’s public policy and the direction of our country.”

The idea for the Constitution Bowl came to Sen. Lee while meeting with groups of students during several Town Hall Tours across the state.  “They were incredibly knowledgeable of and interested in America’s Founding and the principles behind the creation of our country.  I thought an event celebrating our Constitution that would be both fun and informative could capture that interest and broaden it for others throughout Utah.”

The event will be held at the Sheraton City Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, September 14, 2012 during lunchtime.