[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 686 Engrossed in House (EH)]

H. Res. 686

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                    September 14, 2009.
Whereas the United States Constitution is the fundamental law of the United 
        States;
Whereas people in the United States of all ages, income levels, and political 
        beliefs fail tests of civic literacy;
Whereas a 1998 survey revealed that more teenagers knew who the ``Fresh Prince 
        of Bel-Air'' was than the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, more knew 
        the star of the motion picture ``Titanic'' than who was the vice 
        president of the United States, and more can name the Three Stooges and 
        the 3 American Idol judges than can name the 3 branches of government;
Whereas fewer than half of all people in the United States can name the three 
        branches of the United States Government;
Whereas students at top colleges and universities in the United States scored an 
        average of only 59.4 percent for seniors and 56.6 percent for freshmen 
        on tests of civic literacy;
Whereas people in the United States aged 25 to 34 score an average of 46 percent 
        on a test of civic literacy and people aged 65 and over score the same 
        46 percent;
Whereas research shows that an increase in civic knowledge, including that of 
        the United States Constitution, almost invariably leads to the 
        beneficial use of that knowledge; and
Whereas research shows that greater civic learning leads to more active 
        citizenship, and people in the United States who fulfill their civic 
        obligations beyond voting are more knowledgeable about their country's 
        history and institutions: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that--
            (1) all high school seniors across the country should spend at least 
        one week learning about the United States Constitution in September of 
        their senior year, as knowledge of this historic document, which 
        constitutes the very foundation of our country, is critical to being an 
        effective citizen; and
            (2) upon reaching voting age, high school seniors should engage in 
        civic learning activities on an issue of importance to them to 
        demonstrate their understanding of their rights and responsibilities as 
        citizens of the United States.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.