In honor of Constitution Week, which marked the 219th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution, publics officials spoke to students, faculty and visitors about how they enjoy helping people and how they uphold the Constitution. New Iberia Assistant District Attorney Roger Hamilton said he chose to be a public servant rather than go into the private sector because he wanted to help people.
“The most gratifying part of public service is looking at the expression on someone’s face when you have just helped them,” he said.
Not only is Hamilton required to uphold the Constitution, he must also ensure law enforcement officers uphold it. For example, evidence to be submitted in court, it must be gathered in accordance with the Fourth Amendment, which guards against unreasonable searches and seizures, he said.
Thibodaux Assistant District Attorney Lisa Pinho said she went into public service because she was a history graduate and enjoyed the history of Constitutional law.
“It is very rewarding to see justice served for a victim,” she said. “It is rewarding because you have the opportunity to help people.”
Pinho said she encounters Constitutional questions everyday. She said the interesting thing about the Constitution is it protects the innocent and the guilty.
“All of us benefit from the Constitution. That is what separates us from other countries,” Pinho said.
State Senator D. A. “Butch” Gautreaux spoke of his father’s influence on his decision to become a public servant. He said every evening at supper, his father asked what had happened that day in the news. Gautreaux and his father then debated about the issues of the day.
“It was a great growing up process. I probably knew more about world events in high school than anyone in my class,” he said. “It was instilled in me from a very early time that we all owe something for this democracy we live in. It doesn’t come free. You’ve got to participate.”
State Senator Reggie Dupre said politics was a part of his life since childhood because his father owned a local grocery store, where Dupre was in contact with the public on a daily basis.
He said he first swore to uphold the Constitution at age 19 as a deputy sheriff.
“I think the Constitution is our protection from tyranny. It protects us from having monarchies or dictatorships,” he said.
Dupre spoke about Louisiana’s Constitution. He said it is very long and has been amended 127 times, compared to the U.S. Constitution, which has been amended only 27 times.
He said this is because people do not trust Louisiana’s government with vague language, and they want everything stated explicitly so there are no questions about the meaning. He also said people trust the federal government to correctly interpret the vague language of the Constitution.
