SECOND REGULAR SESSION
House Concurrent Resolution No. 38
93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Whereas, the State of Missouri, the residents of its cities, towns, and communities, have a shared interest in promoting and improving Patriotism towards the United States and Missouri in particular, and can greatly accomplish this goal by teaching and emphasizing the historical heritage of our Nation and State; and
Whereas, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, institutions of higher education, textbook publishers, school boards, and elected officials at every level have a responsibility to students, their parents, the community, and our future culture to advance this purpose of developing Patriotism and an appreciation of our Judeo/Christian Heritage and the Character of the Patriots who molded our heritage; and
Whereas, the quality of life in Missouri and the Nation depend on the people having a reliable supply of information from primary source documents which clearly and frequently demonstrate the personal character influences of historical figures, and those who established our state and national historical documents and events; and
Whereas, the preservation of liberties in Missouri and the Nation depend on a people who have a Patriotic love for our country and recognize the full value of our heritage and the prices paid in paving its path; and
Whereas, an opportunity exists for Missouri to objectively search primary source documents which reflect the influences of our Judeo/Christian Heritage and to come up with strategies and educational programs which ensure that our school student's education addresses these documents appropriately as part of our state and national history, without censorship; and
Whereas, an opportunity exists for Missouri to establish a greater patriotism in the children of the residents of its cities, towns, and communities by honoring our Nation and the deep sacrifices of the men and women who have made this country free, and to remind ourselves of the extraordinary part of this Heritage that came about because of Patriotism and love of country; and
Whereas, we have a flag that represents our Declaration of Independence, and the liberty, justice, and happiness that our Constitution made possible, thanks to the ultimate sacrifice of the many men and women who gave their lives to secure such a heritage for their posterity; and
Whereas, we are compelled to reduce any potentially harmful or negative impact from failing to teach the patriotism of our founding fathers, and to emphasize the importance of state and national sovereignty, and personal character influences, and the consequences of citizen indifference, public cynicism, and other public body attitudes; and
Whereas, there is a clear need for an increased attention to be placed upon the benefits and positive impacts which come from understanding our founding father's patriotism and the heritage they established for use, and how such perspectives strengthen our own patriotic resolve to maintain benefits of a healthy state and national sovereignty, our compassion, and sound global influence:
Now, therefore, be it resolved that the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-third General Assembly, Second Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, hereby support every effort to educate Missouri students, at all levels, about the Judeo/Christian Heritage of our State and Nation along with the patriotism of our founding fathers, without censorship of content-based historical religious or sectarian references; and
Be it further resolved that all schools in the State of Missouri are strongly urged to start each day in each and every elementary, middle, and high school classroom with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, giving students an opportunity to daily renew their oath to their country under God and honor those whose courage, sacrifice, and patriotic valor have made our country free; and
Be it further resolved that all schools in the State of Missouri are strongly urged to use textbooks and support teachers whose instruction regarding our Founding Fathers Patriotism and historical documents in elementary, middle, high school, and colleges help to inform and prepare our children to be patriotic citizens; and
Be it further resolved that the Chief Clerk of the Missouri House of Representatives be instructed to prepare a properly inscribed copy of this resolution for D. Kent King, the Commissioner of Education for distribution to each public school district in the State of Missouri.