Recommending that the United States Constitution be taught to high school students throughout the Nation in September of their senior year.

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.

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. 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.

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.

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. Speaker, again, I encourage my colleagues in the House to please support House Resolution 686.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

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. Speaker, I rise this evening to honor the United States Constitution. Earlier today, the House unanimously passed my bill, House Resolution 686, the Teach the Constitution Week resolution. Congressman Ron Paul and I combined our efforts on this important legislation because society is losing its knowledge of our Nation's most fundamental principles. The Constitution lays out the tenets of our Republic, and House Resolution 686 specifically proposes that seniors in high school across the Nation be taught about the Constitution at the start of their senior year in high school for 1 week.

Mr. Speaker, the Constitution is the highest law of the land. If we're not teaching our children about a document so fundamental to our Nation's past, present and future, then what are we teaching them? Too many Americans have no real understanding of the principles of this historic document. More teenagers can name the judges of American Idol and more teenagers can name the Three Stooges than can name the three branches of our government. This is a true disservice to our Nation and its citizens, and this is the reason why we should promote a better understanding of the Constitution on the part of our Nation's youth.

The resolution also encourages seniors to petition the government on an issue of personal importance to them to demonstrate their understanding of their rights and responsibilities as citizens of the United States. They can write letters, organize a trip to Washington, D.C., to see Congress in action, or call their Representatives to voice their opinions about bills and laws in which they have an interest.

Mr. Speaker, I am so pleased to say that earlier this afternoon, the House of Representatives passed House Resolution 686, just 3 days before we celebrate Constitution Day, which marks the 222nd anniversary of the original signing of the U.S. Constitution by members of the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787.

I want to thank the 222 Representatives who signed on as cosponsors of this bipartisan bill. I hope that it will help to reinforce the great importance of the U.S. Constitution to our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to express my support, not only for the principles of House Resolution 686, but for all of the historical foundations of our Nation and its laws. The Constitution is our Nation's most precious and important document. The Constitution spells out the vision that our founders had for this land and its people, while directing us on how to protect the many freedoms and gifts it provides us. A fundamental understanding of social studies, like many other subjects, is imperative for our children, and our Nation, to achieve their greatest potential. That understanding of social studies must include many things, but most importantly an understanding of our Constitution, our Founding Fathers, their vision and ideals for this Republic, and a sense of civic duty that embodies charity and the American spirit of independence. In order for our students to grasp these concepts and relate them to the rest of their educational experiences and daily lives, these concepts and themes must be revisited throughout the education of young Americans and not just for a week in September. As the Constitution is the foundation of our Republic and its laws and principles, in teaching our students about American government and American history the Constitution should provide a foundation and frame of reference throughout the educational process. I am greatly appreciative for all of our teachers and education professionals and thank them for the service they provide to our communities. I would encourage them to include our founding documents and the lessons provided by our Founding Fathers into their classrooms whenever possible.