A wonderful event happened last Thursday that deserves to be discussed. The first day of the House of Representatives back from Christmas break with the newly voted Congress marked an historical day. The Constitution was read from beginning to end a little bit by each member of the House of Representatives. Historians said it was the first time in 222 years the U.S. Constitution had been read in its entirety on the House floor. A sad story indeed that it took so long for this event to happen again, but great that our nation’s leader took the time to read our governing document.

During this reading another event happened. When Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J., started reading the part that said “no person, except a natural-born citizen, or a citizen of the United States” is eligible for the presidency, a woman in the visitor’s gallery area yelled out: “Except Obama, except Obama….”

Immediately the gavel was heard banging by Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho who was presiding over the house, halting the proceedings and warning that such action from members of the public was in violation of House rules. The woman was quickly taken away by Capitol police.

When I first heard the recording of the woman yelling, I thought she was saying, “Accept Obama, Accept Obama!!!” Meaning to accept him as President of the United States, but what she was actually saying was, “Except Obama, Except Obama,” meaning that she believes he is not a natural-born citizen or a citizen of the United States.

Comments were flying online and in the news of what this woman said. Is there any truth to the rumor that he wasn’t born in Hawaii and that there is no real birth certificate? I don’t know and maybe we will never find out, but the responsibility remains all on one Hawaiian Health Director who said she saw the real deal.

Other news came in last week regarding a letter sent to President Obama on Dec. 6, 2010 from 68 members of the House of Representatives stating, their dedication in preserving what was written in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Apparently President Obama made a slight slip in a speech on Nov. 10, 2010 to the University of Indonesia in Jakarta, Indonesia, stating that our United States motto was E pluribus unum, “out of many one” when in actuality our official national motto is In God We Trust, passed by Congress in 1956 and approved by President Eisenhower which is also referenced in our national anthem and written on our coins and currency. As a citizen of the United States, we should all know these things (including our President).

As difficult days come in government law and knowing our own peoples’ rights, we can all follow what Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va. said: “read the Constitution.” Rep. Goodlatte, the one who organized this reading at Congress, hoped it would “inspire many more Americans to read the Constitution.” I’ll add to that. Read the Constitution and remember U.S. history. Being a citizen in the U.S. requires it.

Loxley resident Valerie J. Steimle is now the author of four books. Her latest, "Dogs, Blogs and Hobbits: Writings from a Widow's Perspective" is available on Amazon.com. Contact her at valeriesteimle@yahoo.com or visit her website at www.stregthenyourhome.com.