Vote on Civics Academies

EdAction
Maple River Education Coalition PAC
105 Peavey Rd, St 116
Chaska, MN 55318
952-361-4931
http://www.EdAction.org
E-mail

December 6, 2004

The Senate to Vote on the "New Civics" Academies

"The American History and Civics Education Act of 2004" --H.R. 5360 RDS

Possible action tomorrow!

We were surprised to discover that The New Civics bill that passed in the House just before Thanksgiving on a voice vote as a "non-controversial" bill has not yet been passed in the Senate. We have just heard that the Senate may bring it up for a vote by "Unanimous Consent" as early as tomorrow. If at least one Senator objects to the Unanimous Consent rule for H.R. 5360, a roll call vote will be required. As surprising as this may sound, calling for a roll call could conceivably stop its passage.

In this busy Christmas season, we are asking you for one last effort for 2004 before the final ending of this year's Congress. This opportunity is an unexpected last ditch effort to stop this bill. Following is some of the information that we already sent out when H.R. 5360 was before the House.

H.R. 5360 removed all of the specific language that was in H.R. 1078. Members are using the excuse that everything controversial has been removed, so they will support it. What has been removed is language that described the radical Federal Curriculum. Nothing in H.R. 5360 prohibits that curriculum. It is impossible and dangerous to imagine that the Federal Academies in "The American History and Civics Education Act of 2004" will not teach the Federal Curriculum that is sanctioned and funded by federal law. Removing specifics does nothing to make this bill acceptable.

We urge you to take action immediately.

PLEASE CALL or FAX THESE WONDERFUL SENATORS WHO MAY BE PERSUADED TO HELP:

Urge them to object to the Unanimous Consent rule on H.R. 5360 RDS if and when it comes up for a vote on the Senate floor.
Urge them to vote against H.R. 3560.

Senator Jeff Sessions (202) 224-4124
FAX: 202- 224-3149

Senator Richard Shelby (202) 224-5744
FAX: 202- 224-3416

Senator James Inhofe (202) 224-4721
FAX: 202- 226-1115

PLEASE ALSO CALL OR FAX YOUR OWN SENATORS if you think they might be interested in helping. Senate listings are listed here.

Proponents of H.R. 5360 wrote this to their colleagues in the House:

"H.R.5360 does not create a federal history curriculum or centralize training for history teachers... At no time would the federal government provide or suggest curriculum for the academies...The bill has nothing to do with the "We the People" book .. This bill is not related to the Center for Civics Education or their curriculum."

As our information has stated, H.R. 5360 is not creating a federal curriculum. A federal curriculum already exists through the NCLB federally funded Center for Civics Education's National Standards for Civics and Government and its associated federally funded curriculum textbook We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution. This Federal Curriculum is also tested by the federal government through the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).

Thank you once again for your faithfulness in speaking up for our children, our future and our heritage.