September 13, 2005 Laurel, Maryland

Capitol College will join schools across the country as it takes part in a day honoring the U.S. Constitution. As part of the tribute for the first national Constitution Day, Capitol students are encouraged to attend the special videocast on Friday, Sept. 16, of  "Justice Talking" and a debate on free speech in the digital age.

 The videocast, live from the National Archives and hosted by National Public Radio's Margot Adler, will be shown from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the lyceum of the William G. McGowan Academic Center.

The broadcast will examine censorship in libraries, textbooks and on the Internet. The program will focus on the First Amendment and will examine reasons for protecting and limiting speech, including the protection of minors and assuring community safety, ensuring a free marketplace of ideas, and guaranteeing democratic institutions.

Guests include Floyd Abrams, a First Amendment lawyer; Jack Valenti, past president and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America; and Lawrence Lessig, a law professor at Stanford University.

Congress last year officially designated Sept. 17 -- the day in 1787 when states ratified the document -- as Constitution Day. All schools receiving federal funding are required to honor the day with Constitution-related educational programming on or around Sept. 17.