HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 627 Offered January 10, 2007 Prefiled January 8, 2007 Designating the third week of September, in 2007 and in each succeeding year, as Civics Education Week in Virginia. ---------- Patron-- Tata ---------- Committee Referral Pending ----------

WHEREAS, 2007 marks the 400th anniversary and celebration of the settling of Jamestown as the first permanent English settlement in the Americas; and

WHEREAS, Jamestown represents the establishment of the traditions of representative government, the rule of law, free enterprise, and cultural diversity which form the basis of American culture today; and

WHEREAS, the commemoration of Jamestown provides many opportunities for Virginians to renew their commitment to civic engagement; and

WHEREAS, Delegates to the First Annual Congressional Conference on Civic Education acknowledged the urgent need to address the low level of civic engagement in America; and

WHEREAS, only 24 percent of eligible voters ages 18-19 voted in the 2006 mid-term election; and

WHEREAS, the civic mission of schools is essential to the purpose of education; and

WHEREAS, civic education teaches students the tools to maintain our democratic republic; and

WHEREAS, studies have shown that classroom time devoted to civics instruction has declined throughout the nation; and

WHEREAS, according to the 1998 civics report card of the National Assessment of Educational Progress, just 25 percent of America's schoolchildren could achieve a proficient score in their knowledge of civics and government; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly designate the third week of September, in 2007 and in each succeeding year, as Civics Education Week; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates post the designation of this week on the General Assembly's website.