MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The late U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd was adamant about the Constitution. Byrd was so guided by the principles of the document, he was known for carrying a copy in his pocket. Students across West Virginia on Monday were required to be schooled about constitutional basics. It’s a law the Senator pressed hard for during his life.
“It was amazing to me that for quite a number of years, West Virginia didn’t require civics in high school. I think we’ve not reimposed the requirement,” said WVU Law Professor and Constitutional Law Expert Bob Bastress. “I get a lot of students who come to me in law school, and this is after four years of college, who tell me they didn’t have civics and they don’t understand the basic background for constitutional law.”
Byrd feared for the future when he heard stories like that. Bastress said he was right to be fearful.
“Jefferson put forth the notion that you need an involved and responsible citizenry for a well functioning democracy,” he said. “That’s precisely what the Constitution facilitates.”
Bastress, like Byrd, is adamant about constitutional education. Speaking on MetroNews Talkline he pointed out the United States was a pioneer in writing constitutions and ours became a model for the rest of the world. He said we should know our rights thoroughly.
“It’s the foundation of our democratic society,” said Bastress. “It’s the bedrock of democracy.”