No one really knows how many special weeks we have in America. No doubt there is way more than one special focus for each of the 52 seven-day periods.

For instance, this is "Environmental Services Week" and "Career Week," as designated by organizations such as the American Society for Healthcare Environmental Services and the American Society of Training and Development. But who suspected our servants in the Senate would pass a resolution to make Sept. 14-20 "National Polycystic Kidney Disease Awareness Week."

All of those foci are important and deserve attention. But this is also a very special week, with an important topic that doesn't get the attention it needs or deserves.

This is "Constitution Week."

Locally, Bismarck's Mr. Constitution, Floyd Boutros, 91, has organized a special presentation today at 2:30 p.m. in the House of Representatives chamber in the state Capitol, including Century High School's band and choir. Speakers will include William Neumann, executive director of the State Bar Association; Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota Army National Guard; and State Supreme Court Chief Justice Gerald VandeWalle. The public is invited to attend and support would be appropriate.

But Constitution Week should not only be celebrated one week a year. The document's words should be lived 365 days a year every year as it is the supreme law of the land.

It seems, however, the lessons we learned about it in school as youngsters, like so many others, have been forgotten and are only remembered when we are reminded of the value, or until we need the information.

The Constitution means many things to many people and is much too diverse to address in one editorial. But if nothing else, think this week on the five areas outlined in the First Amendment and the first section of the 14th Amendment.

First Amendment: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Fourteenth Amendment: "… No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privilege or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."

Unlike the governmental gobbledygook of today, the language in those amendments is uncomplicated and understandable; about as unambiguous as you can get.

Still, there are times the Constitution seems under attack from a group or individual with a different agenda. That's fine all should be allowed to speak. But you can't fight for or against a position if you don't understand what's at stake.

Familiarize yourself with the Constitution. Read and study it. You owe it to yourself to understand the rights and protections it provides.