Expressing support for students to learn about Christopher Columbus.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 822) expressing support for students to learn about Christopher Columbus.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 822 into the Record.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

I rise today in support of House Resolution 822, which recognizes the important role Christopher Columbus played in the history of the United States. The resolution also underlines the overall importance of learning about our history.

On October 12, 1492, Christopher Columbus and his 90 crew members arrived in the Americas aboard his famous three-ship fleet. The voyage, which lasted nearly 10 weeks, began in Spain and ended on the Bahamian island of Guanahani. Credited with discovering the new world, Columbus is a controversial figure whose quest to find new trade routes to Asia brought him to our shores.

Americans first celebrated Columbus Day on October 12, 1792, to commemorate the 300th anniversary of his landing. The first official Columbus Day holiday, however, was not celebrated until after the 400th anniversary, when President Benjamin Harrison issued a proclamation in 1892. Today, tributes and memorial celebrations in honor of Christopher Columbus take place across the Nation.

This resolution stresses the importance of understanding the importance of Christopher Columbus' voyage, our broader history, and a call for students to learn about our Nation's heritage.

The importance of an educated and active citizenship cannot be overstated. Without a basic civic education, it is less likely that today's students will vote or engage in active citizenship as adults. Civic education raises awareness and responsibility in our students. Learning about our history is important not only for its academic aspects, but also for the way in which it improves our democracy.

I want to express my support for this resolution and encourage young people to learn about how history affects their everyday lives. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I thank Representative Thompson for bringing it to the floor.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, again I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 822. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 822, expressing support for students to learn about Christopher Columbus. Yesterday, we celebrated the 517th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' voyage to the Americas. Columbus landed in the Americas in what is now the Commonwealth of the Bahamas on October 12, 1492. Christopher Columbus' voyage to America was an integral part in the history and founding of our Nation.

Today, tributes to Christopher Columbus can be found all around the country. Almost every State has a city that bears the name ``Columbus.'' There are memorials located from coast to coast. There is a fountain memorializing Columbus here in Washington, D.C., and a chapel relocated from the Columbus family castle in Spain to Pennsylvania, just to name a couple of examples.

The importance of Christopher Columbus in American history and heritage is obvious. However, if you asked students today, many cannot tell you why yesterday was a holiday and for most a day off from school. The importance of a knowledge of history has been argued for centuries. Yet, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress in 2006, less than half of the country's high school seniors have a basic knowledge of American history. For this reason, it is important to support this resolution and encourage students to take advantage of educational opportunities, in and out of school, to learn about Christopher Columbus and his voyage to America and the history of the United States.

I would like to thank my colleague from Pennsylvania, Mr. Glenn Thompson, for introducing this resolution. I ask my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. I yield back the balance of my time.