PRINTER'S NO. 2385
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
482
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY HARPER, MURT, FREEMAN, READSHAW, D. COSTA,
HENNESSEY, SCHLOSSBERG, CALTAGIRONE, CHARLTON, BIZZARRO,
V. BROWN, BOBACK, PASHINSKI, STAATS, SAYLOR, ROZZI, PICKETT,
JAMES, SCHLEGEL CULVER, LONGIETTI, RAPP, WATSON, R. BROWN,
MACKENZIE, DUSH, SONNEY, O'NEILL, KINSEY, ROEBUCK, NEILSON,
MILLARD, MENTZER, GROVE, DiGIROLAMO, MARSICO, B. MILLER,
MARSHALL, SOLOMON, WARD, EVERETT, HILL-EVANS, PHILLIPS-HILL,
WHEELAND, WARREN AND GILLEN, SEPTEMBER 11, 2017
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
SEPTEMBER 11, 2017
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of September 2017 as "Civic Education
Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, This Commonwealth is where the constitutional
government for the United States of America began 241 years ago;
and
WHEREAS, In order to ensure that "the government of the
people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish" as so
eloquently stated by President Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg, it
is necessary to ensure that each succeeding generation of
Americans understands the principles of American self-governance
and the ideals and principles on which our representative
democracy is based and from which its institutions derive their
legitimacy and power; and
WHEREAS, National testing shows an unfortunate ignorance
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among eighth grade students about civics, geography and American
history, while at the same time national polling shows that
Americans strongly support the role of public schools in
teaching young people how to become responsible citizens; and
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth currently requires civic education
in the form of social studies from kindergarten through grade
12; and
WHEREAS, The Department of Education is authorized to test
students for civic knowledge on the Keystone Exams once the
questions have been developed, making the importance of civic
education known in this Commonwealth and indicating the
seriousness with which the Department of Education views the
role of public schools in educating citizens on their rights and
responsibilities; and
WHEREAS, American adults could also benefit from civic
education to encourage greater civic engagement and involvement
in our electoral and political process; and
WHEREAS, Civic education and participation in extracurricular
activities are indicators for future civic engagement and
involvement in our American democracy; and
WHEREAS, With high-quality civic education, students learn to
listen to differing points of view, take greater responsibility
for their own role in the government of "We the People" and work
toward improving their own communities; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
month of September 2017 as "Civic Education Awareness Month" in
Pennsylvania and urge all residents of this Commonwealth to
celebrate efforts to educate and inform American citizens about
their rights and responsibilities and the importance of civic
engagement.
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