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2001 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 571
Designating the second week of November 2001 and each succeeding year as Veterans' History Week in Virginia.

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 24, 2001
Agreed to by the Senate, February 24, 2001

WHEREAS, youth and young adults often have an insufficient knowledge of the efforts of the United States armed forces to preserve basic American rights; and

WHEREAS, this lack of knowledge has several causes, among them the lack of a recent war against an enemy challenging our freedoms, inconsistent educational programs in our school systems on veterans' contributions, and inadequate community recognition of veterans; and

WHEREAS, the lack of understanding of military history has had serious consequences for American youth, evident in a recent survey of high school seniors that showed that three-quarters of those surveyed were not proficient in civics; and

WHEREAS, insufficient knowledge of United States military history may also contribute to an apathetic attitude among our young citizens toward voting and respect for the American flag and the sacrifices it represents; and

WHEREAS, veterans have given of their time, their bodies, and--the ultimate sacrifice--their lives to protect the freedom that all citizens enjoy; and

WHEREAS, this failure to educate American youth has been a major cause of the current crisis in military recruiting, which has hindered the ability of this country to maintain a strong military force; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Department of Education has urged school districts throughout Virginia to emphasize veterans' contributions in their curricula to coincide with Veterans Day; and

WHEREAS, an insufficient number of Virginia school districts have instituted such veterans education; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly designate the second week of November 2001 and each succeeding year as Veterans' History Week in Virginia; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That Virginia's school districts be urged to work with their local communities, veterans' organizations, and military installations to develop an educational program for students on military history, patriotism, the sacrifices of American veterans, and the preservation of freedom, and to report annually on these efforts to the Virginia Department of Education; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That veterans' organizations be encouraged to contact their local schools to offer appropriate volunteer services during Veterans' History Week; and, be it

RESOLVED FINALLY, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates transmit a copy of this resolution to the Secretary of the Commonwealth in order that she may be apprised of the sense of the General Assembly in this matter.