[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Pages 18224-18225]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE RESOLUTION 570--DESIGNATING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER AS ``NATIONAL 
                 AMERICAN HISTORY AND HERITAGE MONTH''

  Mr. DeWINE (for himself and Mr. Voinovich) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 570

       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

[[Page 18225]]

     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
       Resolved, 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.

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