[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 64 (Tuesday, April 26, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S2462]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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  SENATE RESOLUTION 440--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE ABOUT THE 
  IMPORTANCE OF EFFECTIVE CIVIC AND GOVERNMENT EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN 
                      SCHOOLS IN THE UNITED STATES

  Mr. GRASSLEY (for himself, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Wicker, and Mr. 
Whitehouse) submitted the following resolution; which was considered 
and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 440

       Whereas civic and government education is essential to the 
     preservation and improvement of the constitutional government 
     of the United States;
       Whereas civic and government education programs foster 
     understanding of the history and principles of the 
     constitutional government of the United States, including 
     principles that are embodied in certain fundamental documents 
     and speeches, such as the Declaration of Independence, the 
     Constitution of the United States, the Bill of Rights, the 
     Federalist Papers, the Gettysburg Address, and Dr. Martin 
     Luther King, Jr.'s ``I Have a Dream'' speech;
       Whereas research shows that too few people in the United 
     States understand basic principles of the constitutional 
     government of the United States, such as the natural rights 
     set forth in the Declaration of Independence, the existence 
     and functions of the 3 branches of the Federal Government, 
     checks and balances, and other concepts fundamental to 
     informed citizenship;
       Whereas, since the founding of the United States, schools 
     in the United States have had a strong civic mission to 
     prepare students to be informed, rational, humane, and 
     involved citizens who are committed to the values and 
     principles of the constitutional government of the United 
     States;
       Whereas a free society relies on the knowledge, skills, and 
     virtue of the citizens of the society, particularly the 
     individuals elected to public office to represent the 
     citizens;
       Whereas, while many institutions help to develop the 
     knowledge and skills and shape the civic character of people 
     in the United States, schools in the United States, including 
     elementary schools, bear a special and historic 
     responsibility for the development of civic competence and 
     civic responsibility of students;
       Whereas student learning is enhanced by well-designed 
     classroom civic and government education programs that--
       (1) incorporate instruction in government, history, law, 
     and democracy;
       (2) promote discussion of current events and controversial 
     issues;
       (3) link community service and the formal curriculum; and
       (4) encourage students to participate in simulations of 
     democratic processes; and
       Whereas research shows that the knowledge and expertise of 
     teachers are among the most important factors in increasing 
     student achievement: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that--
       (1) civic and government education is essential to the 
     well-being of the constitutional government of the United 
     States;
       (2) comprehensive and formal instruction in civic and 
     government education would provide students a basis for 
     understanding the rights and responsibilities of citizens in 
     the constitutional government of the United States;
       (3) elementary and secondary schools in the United States 
     are encouraged to offer courses on the history and theories 
     of the constitutional government of the United States, 
     using--
       (A) innovative programs and curricula; or
       (B) programs and curricula with a demonstrated 
     effectiveness in fostering civic competence, civic 
     responsibility, and a reasoned commitment to the fundamental 
     values and principles underlying the constitutional 
     government of the United States; and
       (4) all teachers of civics and government are well served 
     by having access to adequate opportunities to enrich teaching 
     through professional development programs that enhance the 
     capacity of teachers to provide effective civic and 
     government education in the classroom.

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