FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, October 14, 2004
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The White House - USA Freedom Corps
Contact: Erik Hotmire
202-456-7381 |
USA Freedom Corps Director Addresses 25th Anniversary of National History Day Event |
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Thank you for your kind introduction Gail, I applaud both you and Cathy Gorn
for your continued commitment to National History Day. You’ve seen National
History Day grow from a local contest to a year-long program serving more than
700,000 students each year. Thank you for leading this important program …and
for all you do.
I would also like to acknowledge Dr. Libby O’Connell from The History
Channel. Dr. O’Connell is Vice President of Historic Alliances. The History
Channel has been a partner of National History Day for more than a decade. It’s
great to have you here today. Thank you for your commitment to history and civic
engagement.
I also want to welcome all the teachers who are here today. You’ve come from
Wisconsin, Illinois, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and D.C. Thank you for
taking on such a noble profession.
And I especially want to welcome the outstanding students. And applaud their
participation.
To properly understand and love our country, we must know our country's
history.
Our Founders believed the study of history and citizenship should be at the
core of every American's education.
Yet today, our children have large gaps in their knowledge of history.
Studies have shown that nearly one in five high school seniors think that
Germany was an ally of the United States in World War II. And 28 percent of
eighth graders do not know the reason why the Civil War was fought.
National History Day is important because it is changing these results and
improving historical literacy in our nation. National History Day is making a
difference. After introducing National History Day into their classrooms,
teachers reported that 95 percent of their students showed academic improvement.
Students concurred—nearly 80 percent believed that the skills they gained from
National History Day would help them with other schoolwork. This is a great
success.
Our history is important for all of us to understand, particularly our
children, because it gives children a sense of what it means to be an American;
a sense of importance of serving something greater than ourselves in life.
And service is what USA Freedom Corps is all about – encouraging others to
serve – fostering a culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility.
…Whether that is making sure your children know why Martin Luther King, Jr. was
in a Birmingham city jail and why he wrote that magnificent letter – or -- as a
family, cleaning up public lands – or – getting trained in first aid so you are
ready to serve your neighbors in times of disaster.
USA Freedom Corps works closely with National History Day to promote service
and civic participation. Together, we have launched the “Our Documents”
initiative with the National Archives that work to improve students' knowledge
of American history, increase their civic involvement, and deepen their love for
our great country.
Indeed, our children should know about the nearly impossible victory of the
Revolutionary War, and the debates of the Constitutional Convention. They should
need to know about America's liberation of Europe during World War II, and why
the Berlin Wall came down.
For 25 years, National History Day has made our history come alive. Through
systemic educational reform and special programs, National History Day has
reached more than 700,000 students nationwide each year and has become a leading
model of performance-based learning. Happy 25th National History Day – thank you
for all you do.
I would like to take a few moments to acknowledge two members from the USA
Freedom Corps Staff here today. Therese Lyons is our Director of Public Liaison
and Katie Loovis is her Associate Director. They have additional information
about USA Freedom Corps and the President’s Volunteer Service Award.
The President’s Volunteer Service Award is designed to recognize the millions
of volunteers who are dedicated to volunteer service, and at the direction of
the President, the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation
created the President’s Volunteer Service Award. Americans of every age can
qualify for the award, and more than 80,000 Americans have received the Award so
far.
Today, I would like to increase that number by presenting Cathy Gorn with the
President’s Volunteer Service Award. Cathy helps disabled children with
therapeutic riding and serves the D.C. Community in Education programs. I
applaud your efforts to be a citizen, not a spectator.
Thank you again for including me in your program today. I would like to leave
you with a favorite quote from Benjamin Franklin that I think is fitting our
conversation about civic engagement:
Tell me and I forget.
Teach me and I remember.
Involve me and I learn.
Thank you for your interest in making history come alive for our Nation’s
young people. Keep up the great work.
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