BPC Constitution Day

By Dr. Mary Waalkes

Associate Professor of History

MOUNT VERNON— On Thursday, September 15, 2011, Brewton-Parker College will mark Constitution Day by hosting two speakers whose careers jointly represent the three branches of government; the executive, legislative and judicial branches.  David Simons and Donnie Dixon will speak in the Briscoe Center at Brewton-Parker College from 7 to 8:30 p.m., following which a light reception will be held.  The event is free and open to the public.  The Briscoe Center is located on Highway 280 across the street from the college.

David Simons gained a solid political education through serving as a senior legislative aide to a high-ranking member of the House of Representatives, who was involved with the Ways and Means Committee.   Simons’ work in the House reduced red tape for employers in the area of establishing employee health care.  He also was instrumental in initiating the 1988 capital gains hearings.  Following his work as a congressional aide, David Simons moved became a political lobbyist.  Representing the interests of the Eaton Corporation, a multi-billion dollar enterprise that produces various electrical and hydraulic components, Simons gained further invaluable expertise in the political world.  Today, Simons runs his own company, the Simons Political Group, advising political campaigners and advocacy groups.  Colonel David Simons has also recently served in Afghanistan, working in the field of public relations.

Donnie Dixon from Savannah represents the judiciary with his highly regarded career in law.  He received his law degree from the University of Georgia, was District Attorney for the Waycross Judicial Circuit, during which time he received an award for Georgia District Attorney of the Year.  He later served as the U. S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, receiving the appointment from President Bill Clinton.  In this position, Dixon served on committees in Washington D. C. dealing with white collar crime, health care fraud, and environmental crimes.  More recently, Dixon has acted as a partner for a law firm, Oliver Maner & Gray, LLP, and today manages his own law firm, Donnie Dixon Attorney at Law.  He is a member of many bar associations including the Georgia Bar Association, American Bar Association, Savannah Bar Association, Georgia Supreme Court, and the United States Supreme Court.

David Simons and Donnie Dixon will offer their views on the Constitution and the separation of powers.  Constitution Day and Citizenship Day was established in 2004 by Congress requiring educational institutions to commemorate the signing of the Constitution on September 17, 1787.  Dr. Mike Simoneaux, president of Brewton-Parker College, extends a warm invitation to members of the school and the local community to attend this event that honors our democratic form of government.  For more information, please contact Dr. Mary Waalkes at 912-583-3110.

Brewton-Parker College is the only accredited four-year Christian college in south Georgia.

-BPC-

The mission of Brewton-Parker College, a Georgia Baptist college, is to develop the whole student through the application of Biblically-centered truth to a liberal arts curriculum in a community of shared Christian values.

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