Sep. 28, 2015
HARRISBURG – Working to ensure Pennsylvanians remember the important role they play in their government and communities, Rep. Kate Harper (R-Montgomery) is joining with a constituent from North Wales to draw attention to the importance of civic education.
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| The state House adopted a resolution designating Sept. 27-Oct. 3 as Civic Education Awareness Week in Pennsylvania. The resolution was sponsored by Rep. Kate Harper (R-Montgomery) at the suggestion of Richard Buttacavoli of North Wales. Pictured left to right are: Speaker of the House Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny), Buttacavoli, Harper, Rep. Steve McCarter (D-Montgomery), Rep. Mary Jo Daley (R-Montgomery) and Rep. Brian Sims (D-Philadelphia). |
A resolution designating Sept. 27 through Oct. 3 as “Civic Education Awareness Week” in Pennsylvania earned unanimous approval in the state House this week. Harper introduced the measure after talking with Richard Buttacavoli, who came to her to express concerns about the lack of citizen participation in the electoral process and their lack of understanding about how local governments work.
Watch Rep. Harper’s comments on passage of the resolution here.
“Civics education is required in our schools, but we need to take it a step further,” Harper said. “My hope is that by designating a week to focus on civics, we can ensure the lessons our students are taught and tested upon translate into action outside the classroom.
“It’s equally important to raise awareness among adults about the importance of civic participation. I encourage everyone to take this opportunity to get more involved in making their communities better places to live and work,” she added.
The resolution reads, in part, “…WHEREAS, In order to ensure that ‘the government of the people, by the people and for the people long endures’ as so eloquently stated by President Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg, it is necessary to ensure that each succeeding generation of Americans understands the principles of American self-governance and the ideals and principles on which our representative democracy is based and from which its institutions derive their legitimacy and power…”
The resolution also notes civics education and participation in extracurricular activities are indicators for future civic engagement and involvement in American democracy. High-quality civics education can help students learn to listen to differing points of view, take greater responsibility for their own role in the government of “we the people” and work toward improving their own communities.
To read the full text of
House Resolution 471, visit
KateHarper.net.
Representative Kate Harper
61st District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Rep. Harper’s Blue Bell Office
610.277.3230
KateHarper.net /
Facebook.com/RepKateHarper
kharper@pahousegop.com