Oklahoma Bar Journal
From the Chief Justice | America's 250th Anniversary
By Chief Justice Dustin P. Rowe
On July 4, 1776, Thomas Jefferson’s powerful words became the blueprint of America’s promise:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.
This year marks our nation’s Semiquincentennial – the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. I recently visited Independence Hall in Philadelphia and stood in the very room where the Declaration of Independence was signed. I was reminded that at the time it was written, the ideals of the Declaration of Independence were not fully realized. The Declaration of Independence reflected a promise of what America would become.
Our founding fathers believed in these ideals so strongly that they mutually pledged to each other their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. The signers of the Declaration of Independence did not know if America would become the beacon of freedom they envisioned or whether our young country would collapse under the weight of the Revolution. We remain inspired by their courageous pursuit of liberty under the shadow of impending personal peril.
As members of the legal profession, we uniquely understand our founding documents and the importance of the rule of law. With that understanding comes a responsibility to educate the next generation. By investing in civics education, we strengthen public trust upon which our judiciary and the rule of law depend.
To commemorate our country’s anniversary, I encourage judges and attorneys to volunteer as scholars for the National Constitution Center’s Scholar Exchange Program.[i] The Constitution Center develops comprehensive lesson plans on a wide range of topics – including the Declaration of Independence and the judiciary. By participating in this program, judges and attorneys can educate the next generation on our country’s founding and communicate why the rule of law is so important to the freedoms we share. Oklahoma Judges Schneiter and Whalen recently participated as scholars and noted that the lessons were well received by students and teachers alike. Additional information about the Scholar Exchange Program can be found on the National Constitution Center’s website.[ii] To volunteer as a scholar, email Director of Student Programs Kevin Lynch at klynch@constitutioncenter.org. Participation is flexible, allowing you to select virtual sessions that align with your schedule, and no ongoing commitment is required.
It is our responsibility to preserve the ideals our founding fathers risked their lives to forge. Thank you for your commitment to these ideals and for your service to the great State of Oklahoma. The relationships we build today ensure a stronger judiciary tomorrow.
Justice Dustin P. Rowe serves as chief justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court.
ENDNOTES
[i] The National Constitution Center is a private, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization.
[ii] https://bit.ly/451rMTI
Originally published in the Oklahoma Bar Journal – OBJ 97 No. 6 (August 2026)
Statements or opinions expressed in the Oklahoma Bar Journal are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Oklahoma Bar Association, its officers, Board of Governors, Board of Editors or staff.