News Blog

Tax Day in America: Remembering Who Really Works for Whom

April 15, 2026, is Tax Day for most individual federal filers, which makes today more than a deadline. It is a civic moment. It is a reminder that taxation is not supposed to be an act of submission. In the American constitutional order, taxation is tied to representation, limited government, and the obligation of public officials to serve the people whose money they collect. The Constitution gives Congress the power to lay and collect taxes in order to pay the nation’s debts

Joni917

5 days ago3 min read

The Founding Documents and America's 250th Birthday: Why Constitutional Literacy Matters Now

America's 250th anniversary in 2026 offers a powerful moment to reconnect with our founding documents—especially the Constitution. As educators, parents, and civic leaders plan America 250 celebrations, constitutional literacy has never been more relevant. The 917 Society is helping ensure that every 8th grader has the opportunity to hold and study these foundational texts, turning national pride into genuine civic understanding. Celebrating America's 250th with the Founding

Joni917

Apr 123 min read

When “First Amendment” Becomes an Excuse for Failing Children

The controversy out of Rutherford County, Tennessee, has quickly become national news. Library Director Luanne James was fired after refusing to comply with a board directive to move more than 100 books from children’s and teen sections into the adult section of the county library system.[1] James argued that relocating the books would violate the First Amendment.[1] But this dispute was not about forbidding adults from reading books. It was about whether certain materials sh

Joni917

Apr 33 min read

Why America 250 Civics Education Matters More Than Ever — And What One Nonprofit Is Doing About It

As states across the country mark America's 250th birthday, a quiet but powerful movement is happening in classrooms everywhere: students are rediscovering the Constitution. This week, Utah became the latest state to pass a formal resolution commemorating America's 250th anniversary — directing schools to strengthen civics education and ensure students understand the founding documents that shaped this nation. It's a trend building across the country, and it couldn't come at

Joni917

Mar 243 min read

From Oppression to Opportunity: Dr. Ming Wang’s Mission to Protect America’s Constitutional Future

At the heart of the The 917 Society mission is a simple but powerful goal: place pocket copies of the United States Constitution directly into the hands of America’s eighth-grade students. For Dr. Ming Wang, that mission is deeply personal. As president of the organization’s Founders Club and a longtime supporter of the effort, Dr. Wang brings a perspective shaped not only by his professional accomplishments, but by his life story as an immigrant who experienced life without

Rich Washburn

Mar 104 min read

One Night, One Cause, One Constitution

Last night was one of those evenings I will never forget. I am still overwhelmed with gratitude as I reflect on the 917 Society’s Fifth Annual Fundraiser at Ray Stevens’ CabaRay Showroom in Nashville . To everyone who attended, purchased tables and tickets, donated, participated in the auction, spoke, sang, served, and supported our mission, thank you. Truly, thank you. What an amazing night, and what an incredible reminder that there are still so many Americans who deeply l

Rich Washburn

Mar 96 min read

A Patriot Remembered: Honoring Representative Jeff Burkhart’s Legacy of Service

In a time when politics is too often driven by ambition rather than conviction, Representative Jeff Burkhart stood apart as a man of deep principle, quiet humility, and unwavering patriotism. The 917 Society mourns the passing of this true statesman, who was not only a cherished Founders Club Member and 2023 Legislator of the Year, but also a devoted friend, servant leader, and champion of the Constitution. Every year, Jeff Burkhart faithfully delivered pocket Constitutions t

Joni917

Nov 18, 20252 min read

The Founders' Vision of Limited Government — And How Far We've Strayed

When our Founding Fathers met in Philadelphia in 1787 to draft the Constitution, they brought with them the hard-earned lessons of tyranny, overreach, and the dangers of unchecked power. Fresh from the fires of the American Revolution, they understood with uncommon clarity that liberty could not survive unless government was restrained. That understanding formed the cornerstone of our Constitution — a carefully balanced framework designed to secure individual rights by limiti

Ethan Justice

Nov 11, 20253 min read

Restoring Freedom—One Pocket Constitution at a Time

At the Moms for Liberty National Summit , amidst a sea of dedicated patriots—mothers, grandmothers, fathers, and freedom-loving Americans—Joni Bryan, founder of the 917 Society, delivered a heartfelt message that resonated with both urgency and hope. It began with a confession. “I had never read the Constitution. Not really, not word for word.” That moment of raw honesty revealed a truth many Americans share but are afraid to admit. For too long, the Constitution—our national

Rich Washburn

Oct 21, 20253 min read