James Madison's Montpelier We the People Spring 2013 | Page 14

We The People
14

Robert H. Smith

CENTER for the CONSTITUTION

I thrive when I am inspired,
“motivated,
and challenged by
the principles I believe in, and
I want the same for you.”
- Robert H. Smith, speaking in 2009 about his commitment to
helping build the Center for the Constitution

Robert H. Smith enjoyed a light-hearted
opportunity next to his donated statue of the
Madisons, a favorite photographic opportunity
for most Montpelier visitors.

Honoring the Leadership
of Robert H. Smith
To honor his passion for the Constitution and support of civics education,
The Montpelier Foundation is proud to announce the renaming of the
Center to the Robert H. Smith Center for the Constitution.
As America’s premier constitutional training center, the Robert H. Smith Center for the
Constitution at Montpelier provides world-class educational programming to thousands
of adult professionals each year. The Center’s goal is to enable the public to expand its
knowledge and understanding of the Constitution.
Robert H. Smith shared this goal and held the strong belief that helping educators
become more knowledgeable about the Constitution helps them, and their students,
become better citizens — a key to ensuring America’s continued success.
Through on-site and online programs, the Center inspires participation in civic dialogue,
improves the public’s understanding of the founding principles of the United States,
and seeks to enable citizens to deepen their understanding of and participation in our
democracy. To date, the Center has served teachers from all 50 states, as well as judges,
state and federal legislators, law enforcement officers, and members of the media from
dozens of states, and dignitaries from more than 60 nations.
“Bob Smith is the kind of patron saint who understood that the survival of our civil
society rests on an educated population,” said Doug Smith, executive director for the
Center. “His success in business equipped him with the ability to do what we all dream of
doing — invest in future generations through his boundless generosity.”
While the renaming of the C