III 109th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 570 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 14, 2006 Mr. DeWine (for himself and Mr. Voinovich) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary RESOLUTION Designating the month of September as National American History and Heritage Month.

Whereas the United States has a remarkable history and a cherished legacy abounding with stories and biographies of heroes and patriots; Whereas time has proven that, by teaching the principles of the foundation of the United States, the children of the Nation grow up to become good citizens; Whereas George Washington stated, A primary object … should be the education of our youth in the science of government; Whereas the children of the United States have the right and the responsibility to know the history and heritage of the Nation; Whereas, in 1952, Olga Weber, a mother and homemaker from the State of Ohio, out of concern that citizens of the United States were taking their freedoms for granted, petitioned the municipal officers of her town to establish a Constitution day in honor of the ratification of the Constitution of the United States, and further requested that the State of Ohio designate September 17, 1952, as Constitution Day; Whereas, in 1953, Governor Frank J. Lausche of the State of Ohio signed a law designating September 17, 1953, as Constitution Day; Whereas, in August 1953, Mrs. Weber urged the Senate to pass a resolution designating the period beginning September 17, 1953, and ending September 23, 1953, as Constitution Week; Whereas, in 1955, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed into law the request of Mrs. Weber, and designated the period beginning September 17, 1955, and ending September 23, 1955, as Constitution Week; Whereas many parents have become increasingly concerned by the lack of knowledge and interest that the people of the United States have for their history and heritage; Whereas the period beginning September 17, 2006, and ending September 23, 2006, is nationally designated as Constitution Week; Whereas September 17, 2006, is nationally designated as Citizenship Day; Whereas September 11, 2006, is nationally designated as Patriot Day; Whereas the Constitution of the United States was signed on September 17, 1787; Whereas the greatest honor that the citizens of the United States can give to all of those citizens who have dedicated their lives and sacrificed so much to preserve the freedom and legacy of the United States is to remember what those citizens have done; Whereas the designation of September as National American History and Heritage Month will— (1)emphasize to the citizens of the United States the importance of knowing the history and heritage of the Nation; and (2)pay tribute to the Founding Fathers and the many patriots, heroes, and heroines who built the Nation; Whereas a month-long celebration honoring the history and heritage of the United States will encourage more organizations, including schools, businesses, faith communities, and individuals to get involved in programs and opportunities to incite interest and foster respect for understanding the history and heritage of the United States; and Whereas celebrations relating to the history and heritage of the United States will encourage more individuals to engage in a study of the history, heritage, and foundation of the United States, and will instill pride in the citizens of the United States: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1)designates the month of September as National American History and Heritage Month; (2)recognizes that the President issued a proclamation encouraging Federal, State, and local officials, as well as leaders of civic, social, and educational organizations, to conduct ceremonies and programs that celebrate the Constitution of the United States and reaffirm our rights and obligations as citizens of our great Nation; (3)recognizes with great appreciation— (A)the contributions of the millions of citizens of the United States who have devoted their lives, often at great sacrifice, to the improvement and preservation of the Nation; and (B)those who continue to devote their lives for the betterment of the United States; and (4)encourages more citizens of the United States to share their time, knowledge, and talents to share the light of liberty with our children, the future leaders of our Nation.