[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 108 (Thursday, August 1, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S7892]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             NAMING JULY AS NATIONAL AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH

 Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, yesterday my friend and colleague 
from Connecticut, Senator Lieberman, and I introduced a resolution of 
which every American should be proud. Our country has seen wars, 
recessions, conflict, prosperity and unification. In order to honor our 
collective past, this resolution would establish July as American 
History Month. July, the month of our country's declaration of 
independence--a time when Americans put aside differences of opinion 
and signed one of the most important documents in our country's 
history--is an ideal time for us to reflect on our Nation's history and 
educate our children about America's past.
  Studies have shown that Americans lack a passable knowledge of our 
history. We, as Americans, should learn from and understand this 
history. I believe we must encourage Americans of all ages and 
ethnicities to learn the history and heritage of the United States. 
Studies have shown that our next generation of leaders may lack the 
knowledge and understanding of what made our country great. In fact, 
one survey showed that only 23 percent of college seniors could 
identify correctly James Madison as the ``Father of the Constitution,'' 
and 26 percent of those same students mistakenly thought that the 
Articles of Confederation established the division of power between the 
states and the Federal Government. To help overcome this lack of 
knowledge, our resolution would encourage teachers and parents to take 
educational adventures to historic sites where the students may gain a 
working and memorable understanding of American history.
  I always have been in strong support of teaching American history and 
preserving our historic sites. Throughout my time in the Senate, I have 
sponsored legislation, like the Fallen Timbers bill, the National 
Underground Railroad Freedom Center Act, the National Aviation Heritage 
Area Act, and a resolution to honor the Buffalo Soldiers. Ohio has been 
home to seven presidents, which led me to introduce the Presidential 
Sites Improvement Act. I was also able to secure funds to help 
restoration of the Grant boyhood home in Georgetown, Ohio. All of these 
efforts will help provide opportunities for children and adults to 
learn about our nation's past.
  I believe that individuals who have a strong knowledge of American 
history also possess a deeper appreciation of the need for historic 
preservation of properties, buildings, and artifacts. There are many 
great historical sites and museums around Washington and the nation--
sites like the Smithsonian Museums, National Archives, Presidential 
birthplaces, Civil War battlefields, and national monuments. I 
encourage parents to spend time with their families and take family 
visits to these great sites.
  I am proud to say that Congress also has affirmed its commitment to 
the teaching of American history by appropriating $100 million to 
teaching American history in the Leave No Child Behind Act of 2001. 
Such a financial commitment sends a serious message that Congress 
believes in the importance of American history. And, with the passage 
of our resolution, we can only strengthen that message.
  In expressing the significance of American history, I defer to the 
words of Marcus Tullius Cicero, the great Roman orator: ``We study 
history not to be clever in another time, but to be wise always.'' I 
encourage my colleagues to support the vital preservation of our 
history and our historical sites. Our future and wisdom, as Cicero so 
aptly suggests, depend on our knowledge and grasp on the past.

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