[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 197 Introduced in House (IH)]

103d CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. J. RES. 197

    Designating the week beginning November 14, 1993, and the week 
   beginning November 13, 1994, each as ``Geography Awareness Week''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 18, 1993

  Mr. Kildee (for himself and Mr. Goodling) introduced the following 
 joint resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Post Office 
                           and Civil Service

_______________________________________________________________________

                            JOINT RESOLUTION


 
    Designating the week beginning November 14, 1993, and the week 
   beginning November 13, 1994, each as ``Geography Awareness Week''.

Whereas geography is the study of people and their planet, offering a framework 
        for understanding ourselves, our interdependence with other peoples, our 
        relationship to the Earth, and world events;
Whereas the United States has both worldwide involvements and influence that 
        demand an understanding of geography, different cultures, and foreign 
        languages;
Whereas the credibility of our Nation's foreign policy largely depends on the 
        support of a geographically informed citizenry, which understands both 
        the locations and the significance of historic changes occurring around 
        the globe and their effect on the United States;
Whereas a thorough knowledge of geography, different cultures, and foreign 
        languages is essential to maintain the Nation's stature in the 
        international community in matters of business, politics, the 
        environment, and global events;
Whereas a geographic perspective is needed to understand the relationship 
        between human activity and the condition of our planet in this time of 
        increasing environmental problems;
Whereas geography is only beginning to return to the curricula of American 
        schools, the subject is a core element of the curricula of schools in 
        the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, and most other countries;
Whereas our Nation's Governors, in their National Goals for Education, 
        explicitly identified geography along with English, mathematics, 
        science, and history as the 5 core subjects in which American students 
        should demonstrate competency;
Whereas world standards are being developed as benchmarks for student 
        performance in each of the core subjects identified in the National 
        Goals for Education;
Whereas geography is more than the study of map identification, State capitals, 
        and country names, but geography also gives meaning to location and 
        establishes a context for understanding the connections among peoples, 
        places, and events; and
Whereas national attention must be focused on the integral role that a knowledge 
        of world geography plays in preparing citizens of the United States to 
        assume a responsible role in the future of an increasingly 
        interconnected and interdependent world: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That the week beginning 
November 14, 1993, and the week beginning November 13, 1994, each be 
designated as ``Geography Awareness Week'', and the President is 
authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the 
people of the United States to observe such a week with appropriate 
ceremonies and activities.

                                 <all>