Events
Students Celebrate Constitution Day
RALEIGH, N.C. (September 17, 2024) – Wake Tech welcomed U.S. Rep. Wiley Nickel at the college's annual Constitution Day celebration.
The event on the Southern Wake Campus featured games, food and a speech by Nickel, whose U.S. House district serves parts of Wake, Johnston, Harnett and Wayne counties.
Nickel talked about the history of the Constitution, which was signed in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787, as a framework for the federal government. He also talked about the Bill of Rights and the fact that the Constitution has been amended 27 times over the years.
"One of the important lessons we can take from the Constitution is that democracy is never finished," he said. "The work continues every single day, and it falls on your shoulders now to continue this work. It's not something you achieve once and then forget about it. It's a constant effort, a living process where we must be active participants."
Nickel also talked about the challenges in Congress, including partisanship, which makes it hard to find compromise.
"Republicans, Democrats and independents need to work together," he told the students.
He also answered questions from students about issues ranging from immigration to education to the economy. The first three students to ask questions were awarded with what he called "challenge coins," informal tokens of appreciation from his office.
Wake Tech's Constitution Day celebration was sponsored by Student Activities.
