Regional and local judges and lawyers gather annually at the Christian County Justice Center to read the United States Constitution in its entirety, and Kentucky Chief Justice Debra Hembree Lambert joined this year’s reading on Friday.
Lambert was elected as a justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court in 2018. Then in 2024, she was elected to serve as chief justice following the retirement of former Chief Justice Laurance VanMeter. Associate Justice Shea Nickell was also attended the reading.
Christian County Circuit Judge John Atkins welcomed attendees and thanked the Christian County Bar Association and the Hopkinsville Knights of Columbus for supporting the event. Atkins calls the constitution the bedrock of the country’s democracy and says that recently there have been many court cases across the country spotlighting constitutional issues.
Starting from the top, Lambert read the Constitution’s preamble, and then over 20 judges and lawyers read sections and articles of the Constitution. Atkins says the annual reading is important to remind the community that their local judiciary and lawyers are holding themselves to the standards of the Constitution.
Lambert says she enjoyed visiting Christian County to highlight the Constitution. She also says it was powerful to read all of the amendments that mark how far along the country has progressed.
Friday was Lambert’s first time participating in a constitution reading, and she encouraged other counties to host similar events.
Along with Lambert and Nickell, Circuit Judge Andrew Self, District Court Judge Lindsey Adams, Commonwealth’s Attorney Maureen Leamy, Senator Craig Richardson and Family Court Judge Jason Fleming were among the readers.
