Constitution Day Readings
Nearly 100 Houston Bar Association volunteers read to classes in 103 elementary schools in the Houston area on Tuesday, September 17, in commemoration of Constitution Day. Attorneys and judges read and discussed the book, What Do You Do with a Voice Like That? by Chris Barton, to 4th and 5th grade students in 19 different school districts at designated times throughout the day. The book follows the life of Texas and U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, who inspired a nation by using her extraordinary voice and intellect to speak up for justice and equality. Jordan grew up in Houston, in the same 5th Ward neighborhood where some of the schools participating in these readings are located.
Constitution Day is a nationally recognized holiday that commemorates the signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787. Educators throughout the U.S. are encouraged to teach students about one of the most important and influential events in American history, which established the many of the rights and freedoms that “We the People” enjoy today. The Houston Bar Association each year provides reading programs and other activities in schools throughout Harris County to make the Constitution come alive for students.
Readings this year were held at various times throughout the day at schools in the Aldine, Alief, Alvin, Channelview, Conroe, Cy-Fair, Deer Park, Fort Bend, Galena Park, Houston, Humble, Katy, Klein, Lamar Consolidated, Pasadena, Sheldon, Spring Branch, Spring, and Tomball school districts, as well as some private schools.
I was stunned a few weeks ago when I learned that Houston lawyers in @thehba planned to read my Barbara Jordan picture book at 100 (!!!) local schools for Constitution Day on 9/17. https://t.co/xMArBQ2kks pic.twitter.com/aunIOZrJa4
— Chris Barton (@Bartography) September 12, 2019
A special thanks to Mrs. DeWalt for being our first guest reader of the year!! The 5th graders really enjoyed the story of Barbara Jordan! #WeAreAldine #ConstitutionDay #guestreader #BarbaraJordan #CC @chrisbarton @aldinelibraries @ThompTigersRoar @thehba pic.twitter.com/s3HxDUEX43
— Thompson Elementary LMC (@TigersLMCAldine) September 17, 2019
We have Ms. Johnetta Lang from the Houston Bar Association here to speak with our 5th grade students for Constitution Day! #WEbuilddreams #wearealdine @thehba @WilsonAISD pic.twitter.com/CQPaLJpo81
— Wilson Elem Music (@SarahDe76727326) September 17, 2019
Guest speaker reading to 5th grade physical Education class on Constitution Day!!! @WilsonAISD @aldinelibraries @AldineAthletics #WEbuilddreams @thehba pic.twitter.com/BeGWlsVfLh
— Brian Worrell (@Hbpjamaican) September 17, 2019
It’s National Constitution Day! Thank you @thehba for donating the book to our library. Our 5th grade scholars enjoyed it. @CodwellES pic.twitter.com/y6OYuMlevp
— Dawn Buie (@dawn_buie) September 17, 2019
Thank you @thehba for sending Michele Oncken to read to our 5th grade students this morning for Constitution Day. The book, What Do You Do With a Voice Like That: The Story of Extraordinary Congresswoman Barbara Jordan by Chris Barton is a must read! @lmamerson @Carterlibrary15 pic.twitter.com/MYJJPPJiuX
— Carter Academy (@Carter_AISD) September 17, 2019
Daniella Landers from the Houston Bar Association read What Do You Do With a Book Like That in honor of Constitution Day! pic.twitter.com/9V1OzzX4Od
— Marek Elementary (@MarekElem) September 17, 2019
Thank you @thehba for coming to @MRobinsonElem for #ConstitutionDay and reading @Bartography What Would You Do With a Voice Like That? It will be a great addition to our library. pic.twitter.com/cYmv4lqKOp
— MRobinsonLibrary (@MRELibraryLions) September 17, 2019
Guest reader at Kujawa elementary for constitution day! What Do You You With a Voice Like That? The story of extraordinary Congresswoman Barbara Jordan! The kiddos loved it! @kujawaes_AISD @mbridges704 @KujawaIBLibrary pic.twitter.com/GTImvBZbuu
— Meagan Martinez (Wanzong) (@ms_wanzong) September 17, 2019
Spence is honored to receive Mr. Ronald Robertson for a special Read Aloud for Constitution Day. We appreciate the Houston Bar Association for the opportunity?? #WeAreAldine @SpenceAdventure @SpenceAISD @aldinelibraries @AldineISD @thehba @Bartography pic.twitter.com/aL6OqVCZV6
— Spence Elementary Library (@SpenceAdventure) September 17, 2019
Thank you Joanne Ericksen and @thehba for reading to our fifth graders for Constitution Day! We love having guest readers. #readersareleaders #ThankfulTuesday @Alief_Libraries @ChancellorComet pic.twitter.com/LcU4eLDvmc
— Chancellor Library (@ChancellorLib) September 17, 2019
So excited to have Mr. Tariq Zafar of Wong Flemming and @thehba come read "What Do You Do With a Voice Like That: The Story of Extraordinary Congresswoman Barbara Jordan". Thank you for providing our students with this wonderful experience! pic.twitter.com/MKtz6VtEIm
— Chameleon Counselors (@CSE_Counselors) September 17, 2019
Thanks @thehba for sending MS. Dixon to read to us today. The fifth graders enjoyed the book and the Q and A after. I am so happy to add Barbara Jordan's book to @CalvertLmc my library Collection. pic.twitter.com/c8x8yQMWCM
— CalvertElementaryLMC (@CalvertLmc) September 17, 2019
Commemorating Constitution Day! Stds @dunnbears celebrated with the book What Do You Do With a Voice like That? read by Aldine Attorney Johnetta Lang. Thanks for sharing this special day with us and the book donation.?? @thehba @Bartography @aldinelibraries pic.twitter.com/Ic6XtYivQV
— Andi A (@DunnLibraryLady) September 18, 2019
Celebrated #ConstitutionDay w/a special visitor! Thank you @thehba for a great story time and for donating @Bartography's phenomenal book about the amazing Barbara Jordan to our library. Wonderful experience for our @ME_Mustangs! #WEareME #MustangNation pic.twitter.com/H5C9vdEMYn
— Mellissa Sanchez (@mellissasanchez) September 17, 2019
?Such A Blessing To Have Mrs. Dawn Holiday Read To Our Lovely 5th Graders! Our Students Were Curious As They Inquired About Our Consitution And What They Could Do To Have Their Voice Heard!! Thank You @thehba @KujawaIBLibrary @kujawaes_AISD For This Opportunity!!! pic.twitter.com/KhUkgVa7nG
— Meirha Bridges-Roberts (@mbridges704) September 17, 2019
Thank you @thehba for helping us celebrate Constitution Day. We appreciate Mr. Michael Butera for reading "What Do You Do With A Voice Like That? The Extraordinary Congresswoman Barbara Jordan" written by @Bartography and then donating the book to our library. pic.twitter.com/e1vBmJAniP
— Bill Hasse Elem (@BillHasseElem) September 19, 2019
Our scholars enjoyed Constitution Day & honoring Barbara Jordan! A big THANK YOU goes to our first special guest reader, John Nechman! The book, What Do You Do With A Voice Like That! is a must read! ??@JeffersonES2 @Nechlaw @thehba #ConstitutionDay #JeffersonProud pic.twitter.com/D2oli91la6
— Heather Land (@Landinthebooks) September 18, 2019
Thank you so much Mrs. Christine Lu and the Houston Bar Association for honoring our Congresswoman, Ms. Barbara Jordan! The Book—- “What Do You Do With A Voice Like That?” was awesome! #ConstitutionDay @hisdnorth @HoustonISD pic.twitter.com/EF8513zSuX
— Atherton ES HISD (@AthertonES) September 19, 2019
@thehba Thank you Mr. Spiller for visiting our school this year to educate us about Congresswoman Barbara Jordan! We enjoyed the beautiful biography book about her life! She inspired students to learn more about our government. pic.twitter.com/32yOsyNDp7
— Diane Delgado (@DianeDe02687693) September 23, 2019
Thank you, Houston Bar Association for empowering our JR Harris students.@jgarcia4eagles @HISDEastArea @LiraSerg @USNewsEducation @houstonbarassociation pic.twitter.com/zlkxTkigOJ
— Judith Garcia (@jgarcia4eagles) September 20, 2019
It’s Constitution Day and our 5th graders are learning about Barbara Jordan thanks to our guest reader Ms. Jones. @LibMGE @MGE_Gators @FBISD_Libraries @thehba pic.twitter.com/G5JZDeHbxv
— MGE Library (@LibMGE) September 17, 2019
Honored to host @thehba #ConstitutionDay reading of What Do You Do With A Voice Like That? by @Bartography at @Alexander_AISD thanks to @cishouston and @aDang_It ! #AliefMission #AliefLeads pic.twitter.com/YdNFdpfaAH
— Alief Alexander Library (@AlexanderLib) September 17, 2019
Thank you @thehba for celebrating the legacy of Congresswoman Barbara Jordan with our @BlackshearEHISD scholars#Prideof3rdWard @IStandforAll @HISDSupe @TeamHISD @HISDFACE @Bartography pic.twitter.com/7YxknrCUYd
— Blackshear Elem (@BlackshearEHISD) September 17, 2019
What a fabulous reading of @Bartography’s #whatdoyoudowithavoicelikethat! Thank you to the @thehba and Mr. Ng for talking about the Constitution and reading a story about Barbara Jordan on Constitution Day! @PME_Katyisd pic.twitter.com/fwc2BzwFIA
— pme_librarian (@pmeLibroLady) September 17, 2019
@thehba reads #whatdoyoudowithavoicelikethat about #barbarajordan to .@Alexander_AISD on #ConstitutionDay #alxleads #aliefleads #thankyou @aDang_It pic.twitter.com/qskayIBvnX
— Carol Chang Goodwin (@counselgoodwin) September 17, 2019
Constitution Day ! We had the honor of having guest speaker and Aldine attorney Ms. Amy Benya! She read a phenomenal story of Barbara Jordan by the @Bartography ! Thank you to The Houston Bar Association @thehba @drgoffney @InnettaCarter1 @CypresswoodES @WynneLaToya pic.twitter.com/W0p4KYDIBd
— Kara Cooper (@_CoopNation) September 17, 2019
Thank You Judge Bourliot for reading “What Do You Do With a Book Like That” in honor of Constitution Day to our 5th grade students. @CBEBULLDOGS @SBISDLib @thehba pic.twitter.com/n1fhjWKAny
— Cedar Brook Elem (@CBELibrary) September 17, 2019
Guest judge reader from Houston Bar Association reading to our 5th graders for Constitution Day! @aldinelibraries @AldineISD @drgoffney @igcarter2010 pic.twitter.com/d7p9ZdHdGC
— Smith Elementary (@Smith_AISD) September 17, 2019
Thank you Attorney Corey Miller of the Houston Bar Association for reading to our scholars today, Constitution Day. #GreatByDesign #WeAreAldine @WynneLaToya @ConleyES_AISD @angcala pic.twitter.com/NZg2I6UFJr
— Dr. LaShawn Hodge #ConleyPrincipal #blessed (@lnhodge) September 17, 2019
Meador Principal Miss Bolton & Counselor Mrs. Merida with today’s guest reader, Attorney Lisa Nelson of Hegwood Law Group who volunteered her time to read to our students on Constitution Day in partnership with @thehba! Our librarian has been wanting this book @Bartography ?? pic.twitter.com/b8J6mFSh6E
— Meador Elementary (@MeadorElementa1) September 17, 2019
Thank you to Ms. Kelly Woods from @thehba for coming to read to our 5th grade students in honor of Constitution Day as well as presenting the book to our principal, Ms. Ward for our school library! pic.twitter.com/WfBiA0Jyzn
— Raul C. Martinez ES (@RMTZElem) September 17, 2019
A very special Constitution Day with a visit from attorney Amy Benya, who discussed the Constitution with our 5th graders and read a great biography about Congresswoman Barbara Jordan. Thanks to Ms. Benya and the Houston Bar Association for this opportunity! @thehaba @Bartography pic.twitter.com/9oFdjqdWrd
— LMCErmel (@lmcermel) September 18, 2019
Happy Constitution Day! Thank you to @thehba and Mr. Michael Belanger for teaching our 4th and 5th graders about the Great Barbara Jordan and her legacy! @Youens_Gators @youens_library @AliefISD #ConstitutionDay2019 #missionpossible pic.twitter.com/HIVJsGujHO
— My Nguyen (@CounselorNguyen) September 18, 2019
Thank you to @thehba & author @Bartography for the our guest reader and book donation on #ConstitutionDay2019 for @Mitchell_Elem! Perfect for our 8th habit! @SouthArea_HISD @Erwin_Garcia_ pic.twitter.com/J30OFelL2G
— Elizabeth Castillo (@RGVReaderLeader) September 18, 2019
Love having Lawyers come to share books with the students at RCE. This year we shared "What do you do with a Voice Like That?" with Fifth Grade. The book is about Barbara Jordan. Thank you Houston Bar Association. @SBISD @SBISDLib @rummelcreeklib #rcestrong #rcelib pic.twitter.com/39oSx522eq
— Karen Harrell (@rummelcreeklib) September 18, 2019
We had a wonderful presentation with Mrs. K. DeWalt @blackelem_AISD yesterday. We really appreciate the readings provided by the Houston Bar Association. This truly enriches our students educationally!#WeAreAldine, @thehba, @aldinelibraries, @chrisbarton pic.twitter.com/VW3sfPCgL6
— Hillary Volkmann (@HillaryVolkmann) September 18, 2019
Thank you @TheHBA and Ms. Rawlins for reading to our 3rd graders @LiestmanES on #ConstitutionDay. Book read was “What Do You Do With a Voice Like That: The Story of Extraordinary Congresswoman Barbara Jordan” by Chris Barton @Bartography @Alief_Libraries #AliefReaders pic.twitter.com/5aXSYF9yzu
— LiestmanLIB (@LiestmanLib) September 19, 2019
Thank you, readers!
Brenda Adimora | Michael Belanger | Amy Benya | Hon. Francis Bourliot | Hon. Lesley Briones |
Linda Broocks | Joseph Buoni | Michael Butera | Randi Capone | Christie Cardon |
Dennis Carter | Karan Ciotti | Megan Daic | Mindy Davidson | Angela DeSilva |
Kaye DeWalt | Cindy Dinh | Angela Dixon | Travis Dunlap | Mynde Eisen |
Joanne Ericksen | Terri Evans | Hon. David Fraga | Sarah Frankfort | Hon. Kem Frost |
Juliana Gaige | Marie Garcia | Leo A. Carrasco & Richard Garza | Connie Gatlin | Victoria Gipson |
Tara Grundemeier | Warren W. Harris | Jennifer A. Hasley | Hon. Meagan Hassan | Misty Hataway-Cone |
Catina Haynes | Dawn Holiday | Kevin Horner | Alexis Howard Lewis | Wonderland Hudson |
Farnaz Hutchins | Gary Johnson | Sharon D. Jones | Daniella Landers | Johnetta Lang |
Chanler Langham | Jennifer LeMaster | Casey Little | Christine Lu | Karen Lukin |
Pam Medina & Hon. David Medina | Richard Merrill | Corey Miller | Emily Miller | Casey Minnes Carter |
Amber Morrison | Liz Mylin | John Nechman | Lisa Nelsen | Shayne Newell |
Denny Ng | Stephanie Ng | Michele Oncken | Precious Owodunni | Ruby Powers |
Annette Ramirez | Monica Rawlins | Mahogane Reed | Veronica Rivas-Molloy | Ronald Robertson |
Meagan Scott | Charles Shaw | David Simpson | John Spiller | Kara Stauffer |
Mark Stout | Cheri C. Thomas | Donna Thomisee | Connie Vasquez | Hon. Joe Villarreal |
Rehana Vohra | Mark Waite | Laranda Walker | Jordan Warshauer | Koby Wilbanks |
Stacy Williams | Kelly Woods | Tariq Zafar | Sarah Zhou |
Thank you to the bar associations that partnered with us for these readings
Houston Northwest Bar Association
Houston Paralegal Association
Pasadena Bar Association
Thank you to participating schools
Aldine ISD: Aldine Education Center, Black Elementary, Calvert Elementary, Carter Academy, Conley Elementary, Cypresswood Elementary, Dunn Elementary, Ermel Elementary, Escamilla Elementary, Francis Elementary, Kujawa Elementary, Ogden Elementary, Smith Academy, Spence Elementary, Thompson Elementary, Wilson Elementary
Alief ISD: Alexander Elementary, Chancellor Elementary, Heflin Elementary, Liestman Elementary, Youens Elementary
Alvin ISD: Bill Hasse Elementary, Marek Elementary, E.C. Mason Elementary
Channelview ISD: Crenshaw Elementary, Schochler Elementary
Conroe ISD: Creighton Elementary
Cy-Fair ISD: Owens Elementary, M. Robinson Elementary
Deer Park ISD: Dabbs Elementary
Fort Bend ISD: Cornerstone Elementary, Highlands Elementary, Lantern Lane Elementary, Meadows Elementary, Mission Glen Elementary, Palmer Elementary, Rosa Parks Elementary, Ridgegate Elementary, Sugar Mill Elementary
Galena Park ISD: Cimarron Elementary, MacArthur Elementary
Houston ISD: Atherton Elementary, Bastian Elementary, Benbrook Elementary, Blackshear Elementary, Codwell Elementary, Crockett Elementary, Cunningham Elementary, E. A. “Squatty” Lyons Elementary, Felix Cook Jr. Elementary, Fondren Elementary, Frost Elementary, Garden Villas Elementary, Harvard Elementary, Helms Elementary, J.R. Harris Elementary, JC Mitchell Elementary, Jefferson Elementary, Kate Bell Elementary, Lockhart Elementary, Looscan Elementary, Mark Twain Elementary, R. Martinez Elementary, McNamara Elementary, Nathaniel Q. Henderson Elementary, Osborne Elementary, Park Place Elementary, Piney Point Elementary, Pleasantville Elementary, Roderick Paige Elementary, Rucker Elementary, Seguin Elementary, Sherman Elementary, Sinclair Elementary, Tijerina Elementary, Walnut Bend Elementary, Whittier Elementary
Humble ISD: Oaks Elementary
Katy ISD: Hutsell Elementary, Polly Ann McRoberts Elementary
Klein ISD: Epps Island Elementary
Lamar Consolidated ISD: Beasley Elementary, Don Carter Elementary, Frost Elementary, Hubenak Elementary, Jackson Elementary, Jane Long Elementary
Pasadena ISD: Frazier Elementary, Jessup Elementary, Matthys Elementary, McMasters Elementary, Meador Elementary
Sheldon ISD: Sheldon Elementary
Spring ISD: Beneke Elementary, Jenkins Elementary
Spring Branch ISD: Cedar Brook Elementary, Rummel Creek Elementary, Thornwood Elementary
Private Schools: Holy Spirit Episcopal, Presbyterian School, St. Jerome Catholic, Trinity Klein Lutheran