Salyer alumnus headlines League of Women Voters event

(Sept. 20, 2010) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Neil Salyer, a graduate of the McConnell Scholars Program, will discuss "The People and the Constitution: Popular Interpretations from the Left, Right and Center," along with Dr. Allison Martens, U of L political science professor.
Salyer alumnus headlines League of Women Voters event

Source: www.lwvlouisville.org

Neil Salyer, a McConnell Scholar alumnus (2001) and current chair of the legal studies dept. at Brown Mackie College, and Dr. Allison Martens, University of Louisville assistant professor of political science, are featured guests of the League of Women Voters today. The duo headline the league's "The People and the Constitution: Popular Interpretations from the Left, Right and Center" event Sept. 20, 6 p.m., at the Lang House, 115 S. Ewing Ave.

The league noted that people are actively discussing the scope and role of the U.S. Constitution: Was the 14th amendment, declaring all persons born in the United States to be citizens, intended for freed slaves or Irish immigrants? How does the Commerce Clause, allowing the federal government to regulate commerce between the states, give Congress authority to protect the rights of the handicapped? Did the Founding Fathers have the right idea when they directed that US Senators be appointed by their state legislatures, or was the 17th amendment correct in letting citizens vote for their US Senators?

Martens earned her doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin, teaches constitutional law and judicial process, and is currently researching the effects of social competition on constitutional development. Salyer graduated from the U of L Brandies School of Law and holds a Masters in Education. Before joining Brown Mackie, Salyer was in private practice as a real estate litigation attorney.

Doors will open at 5:45 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.

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