[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 129 (Monday, September 14, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H9447-H9449]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOMMENDING TEACHING CONSTITUTION TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 686) recommending that the United States 
Constitution be taught to high school students throughout the Nation in 
September of their senior year, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 686

       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.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from the 
Northern Mariana Islands (Mr. Sablan) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. 
Gohmert) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands.

[[Page H9448]]

                             General Leave

  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which 
Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House 
Resolution 686 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 686 and 
thank Mr. Grayson, the sponsor of this resolution, for his leadership.
  Almost 222 years ago, on Thursday, September 17, 1787, the delegates 
to the Constitutional Convention met in Philadelphia for the last time 
to sign the document they created, a living and breathing document that 
stands as the world's longest surviving written charter government.
  This resolution brings attention to the importance of this document 
by calling for all high school students to learn about the 
Constitution. Many students today have little exposure to this rich 
document and its history. And without a basic understanding of the 
Constitution and the benefits it provides, it is less likely that these 
same students will vote or engage in active citizenship.
  One program that combats this lack of knowledge is, ``We the People: 
The Citizen and the Constitution.'' The program encourages civic 
awareness and responsibility in middle school and high school students 
through hands-on activities. Students discover firsthand how the 
Constitution and the Bill of Rights impact their everyday lives and 
participate in simulated congressional hearings. At the national level, 
students utilize higher-order thinking skills as they demonstrate their 
knowledge of constitutional theory by defending a historical or 
contemporary issue.
  Programs like ``We the People'' make the Constitution come alive and 
help students connect what they are learning to contemporary issues and 
events. This type of learning is important not only for its academic 
aspects, but also for the way in which it improves our democracy. 
Learning about the Constitution promotes positive civic attitudes and 
fosters involvement in our democracy.
  This Thursday, September 17, is Constitution Day, because on 
September 17, 1787, the Constitution was signed and history was made. 
One way students and teachers can observe this important day and 
celebrate the legacy of our Founding Fathers is by learning more about 
the timeless document signed 222 years ago and finding ways to actively 
participate in our democracy.
  I want to express my support for this resolution and encourage young 
people to learn about how the Constitution affects their everyday 
lives. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GOHMERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 
686, recommending that the United States Constitution be taught to high 
school students throughout the Nation in September of their senior 
year. It has been reported that just over half of all Americans can 
correctly identify the three branches of government. In fact, a recent 
poll indicated we have more people in America who can identify The 
Three Stooges than they can the three branches of government.
  More than one in five believe that the three branches of government 
are the Republican, Democrat and independent branches, and only a small 
percentage of Americans can identify the role of the judiciary in the 
Federal Government. Yet, if you ask teenagers to name the three judges 
on ``American Idol,'' they can rattle off their names immediately.
  The word ``civic'' originates from the Latin word ``civis,'' meaning 
``citizen.'' At the heart of civic education is the concept that we 
must understand what it means to be a citizen. The importance of civic 
education is that without a public informed about their civic duties, 
the rights and freedoms promised by our constitutional structure may 
not be realized.
  Our young people in future generations must understand that it is our 
constitutional framework and the freedom and liberty it provides which 
forms the glue that holds our society together. The Constitution is a 
blueprint for connecting our large and diverse society in a peaceful 
coexistence, for the most part.
  Passing on an understanding of our country's history and the 
constitutional framework upon which it was founded is the duty of one 
generation to the next. As my friend from the Northern Mariana Islands 
mentioned, September 17, 2009, will mark the 222nd anniversary of the 
signing of the U.S. Constitution.

                              {time}  1415

  I think it is appropriate that teachers and parents across the 
country use this anniversary as an opportunity to discuss the 
importance of our Constitution and the principles it embodies with all 
students, but especially high school seniors, who are preparing for the 
next chapter of their lives, and many of them to vote for the first 
time.
  It is also important to note that when the Founders came together and 
finally agreed on this Constitution, it was born out of a distrust for 
government. So they put this document together, and it was a long 
process. In fact, Benjamin Franklin, after 5 weeks, said, We've been 
going 5 weeks. We have more noes than ayes. And then he went on to say, 
Of course, We know that a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without 
God's notice. And, How can an empire rise without his aid?
  He went on to say, It's written in the sacred writing that unless the 
Lord build a house, they labor in vain that build it.
  He went on to point out and make a motion that they should begin each 
day with prayer, just as we have from 1787 until now. But then they 
went on to finally create a document they could agree on with a House 
of Representatives. But they were concerned. There was all this debate. 
One House still wouldn't be strong enough to have all the checks and 
balances to control a government that might try to run away and take 
away their liberty.
  So they didn't feel good about just one House. They wanted two 
houses. But they didn't want one House, maybe a House of Lords and a 
House of Commons, where one is more powerful than the other. They 
wanted both Houses to be able to completely veto what the other is 
doing to stop the other House from moving forward with the law.
  So they got two Houses, where they could do that. And that wasn't 
good enough. They said, We need an executive, but we don't want to have 
this thing where a legislative body then elects one of their own. We 
want somebody elected outside that, and then he can veto what those two 
Houses did.
  You know, that is still not good enough, because we really don't 
trust government. Let's have another branch outside that, called the 
judiciary, and we will give them a veto over laws that are made, too. 
That way, we can control runaway government.
  And it was ferocious argument and debate coming around to this final 
document that my friend from the Mariana Islands has pointed out has 
been such a tremendous asset for the history of mankind. And it was so 
moving that at the conclusion they agreed on the Constitution, they 
agreed to come forward with a Bill of Rights thereafter, that it's 
reported that Benjamin Franklin said, as he was recognized at the end, 
looking at the chair behind President George Washington as he stood 
there--and, by the way, this massive painting can be seen right outside 
this House--he said, Mr. President, I have been looking at the half of 
the sun carved in the back of your chair, wondering throughout this 
process if that were a rising sun or a setting sun. He said, I now 
believe that is a rising sun.
  I agree with him, and I agree so wholeheartedly with my friend that 
this is an excellent proposal, a resolution to encourage this kind of 
thing, to recommend this to the State, not to ram it down anybody's 
throat; but young people need to know this, especially before they 
vote, know the three branches as well as the three judges from American 
Idol.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, again, I encourage my colleagues in the 
House to please support House Resolution 686.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. 
Res. 686, which recommends that the United States Constitution be 
taught to high school students throughout the Nation in September of 
their senior

[[Page H9449]]

year. Understanding the Constitution and fundamentals of the government 
of the United States is essential to being a contributing member of our 
society. By recommending that the U.S. Constitution be taught to high 
school seniors, this measure will help prepare people of voting age to 
participate in the democratic process.
  The state of public awareness and understanding of the U.S. system of 
government requires action to improve civic education. Americans from 
all walks of life--rich and poor, young and old, and Republican and 
Democrat--fail civic literacy tests. Moreover, many institutions of 
learning of all calibers and at all levels do not adequately prepare 
students to be knowledgeable citizens. Nearly half of the States do not 
require that U.S. civics and American history be taught in school. 
Education is vital to improving the vitality of our democracy.
  In Texas, teaching of the constitution is part of our social studies 
curriculum and 91 percent of our students passed our exit exams in the 
2007-2008 school year. This shows an effort on our part to educate our 
students on the governing doctrine of our great nation and the 
retention by our students of this information. Instituting such 
requirements helps develop responsible adults who understand their 
responsibilities as a citizen of this great nation.
  I believe that all citizens need to have a strong understanding of 
the U.S. Constitution and the institutions of U.S. government. 
Individuals must understand the basic tenets of our Constitution in 
order to protect their rights and fully participate in the democratic 
process. Furthermore, civic Recommending to the States that they teach 
the United States Constitution as a part of the senior year curriculum 
will send a clear message that civics is an important part of a high 
school education. Increasing knowledge of the U.S. Constitution and our 
government will also lead to increased civic engagement among our 
students. Teaching the basic tenets of government to those students who 
will then become voters will increase voter participation rates and 
create a more active citizenry.
  Mr. SABLAN. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands (Mr. Sablan) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 686, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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