On September 28, 2023, Baylor Law hosted acclaimed Constitutional scholar Akhil Reed Amar, the Sterling Professor of Law at Yale Law School, for a compelling lecture titled “The Founding Fathers and the Importance of Civil Discourse.” The event, part of the Starr Federalist Papers Lecture Series underwritten by John and Marie Chiles, was held at 4 p.m. in the Jim Kronzer Appellate Advocacy Classroom & Courtroom at the Sheila & Walter Umphrey Law Center. A reception and book signing with Professor Amar followed.
Baylor Law’s Interim Dean and Professor of Law, Patricia Wilson, introduced this year’s lecture, highlighting the philosophical underpinnings of our American democracy established by our Founding Fathers and the role of the Federalist Papers in the adoption, ratification, and interpretation of the Constitution. She warmly thanked John (JD ’50) and Marie Chiles for their philanthropic support.
Within the context of the understandings that characterized the development of the Constitution, Professor Amar’s lecture explored the historical events and factors that led to the admission of Texas as a State in 1845. His comments emphasized the key differences between our nation’s Declaration of Independence and Texas’ declaration of independence from Mexico, including the role of slavery within our Constitutional framework. By connecting to our Constitutional past, Professor Amar encouraged attendees to develop a richer understanding of our shared history, enabling us to engage knowledgeably and civilly with one another in today’s often polarized world.
“You can disagree with people politically and still love and respect them. That’s what civil discourse is really about,” noted Professor Amar in his lecture.
Professor Amar Reads a Passage From His Latest Book During the Starr Federalist Papers Lecture on September 28, 2023 at Baylor Law
The lecture engaged an audience of more than 200 faculty, staff, students, and community members, reminding all of the enduring significance of civil discourse in our Constitutional republic in shaping our nation’s history and guiding our future.
Following the lecture, attendees engaged with Professor Amar at a reception, during which discussion continued on the lecture’s themes, and Prof. Amar inscribed his books.
Akhil Reed Amar is a constitutional scholar, a best-selling author, co-editor of one of the leading constitutional law casebooks used in law schools nationwide, and a popular podcast host. He is the Sterling Professor of Law and Political Science at Yale University, where he teaches constitutional law in both Yale College and Yale Law School. After graduating from Yale College, summa cum laude in 1980 and from Yale Law School in 1984, and clerking for then Judge (now Justice) Stephen Breyer, Amar joined the Yale faculty in 1985 at the age of 26. Amar’s work has garnered recognition and acclaim, earning awards from the American Bar Association and the Federalist Society. His expertise in constitutional law has garnered the respect of Supreme Court justices from across the ideological spectrum, with more than 40 cases citing his contributions.
The Starr Federalist Papers Lecture Series, presented by John and Marie Chiles, is an annual series that offers Baylor Law students, faculty, and the greater Central Texas community access to renowned legal scholars who provide invaluable insights into the foundations of our nation’s legal and political principles.
After the 2023 Starr Federalist Lecture, Interim Dean Wilson noted, “We take great pride in hosting a lecture that delves into the significant roles played by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay’s Federalist Papers in shaping our Constitution. We appreciate Professor Amar’s insights into the Constitution and its formative principles. And we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our generous friends, John and Marie Chiles, whose philanthropic spirit and civic-mindedness make this annual lecture possible.""
Original source can be found here.