This resolution expresses support for designating September as "Founding Fathers' Month" to honor the nation's founders and promote civic education about their contributions.
Jefferson Van Drew
Representative
NJ-2
This resolution expresses strong support for designating September as "Founding Fathers' Month" to honor the leaders who established American democracy. It encourages schools and public groups nationwide to host educational events highlighting the Founders' sacrifices and contributions. The bill aims to combat declining civic knowledge by focusing attention on founding principles at the start of the school year.
New Resolution Calls for September to Be 'Founding Fathers' Month,' Pushing for More Civics in Schools
This resolution is essentially a formal thumbs-up from the House of Representatives to dedicate the month of September to celebrating the Founding Fathers. It’s a symbolic move, not a law that changes your taxes or traffic rules, but it’s aimed squarely at boosting civic education and historical reflection.
Why September? And Why Now?
The resolution points out that the U.S. Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, making September a natural fit for this commemoration. The core motivation here is a concern that both students and adults are losing touch with the foundational principles of the country. The resolution argues that patriotism and civic engagement are dipping, and using the start of the school year—when everyone is getting back into the swing of things—is the perfect time to refocus on figures like Washington, Jefferson, and Franklin.
The Call to Action: Who Does the Homework?
While this is non-binding, it’s a strong suggestion to several key groups. The resolution urges schools, public groups, and government offices nationwide to organize events and activities aimed at educating the public about the Founders and their contributions (Section: Declaring Founding Fathers Month). Think of it as encouragement for your kid’s school to spend a little more time on the Federalist Papers or for your local library to host a Constitution Day lecture. The goal is to help Americans better understand liberty and civic responsibilities.
The Department of Education Gets a New Task
One specific provision calls on the Department of Education (DoE) to “step up and support programs, materials, and activities” related to these founding principles (Section: Role of the Education Department). This is where things get interesting for the average taxpayer and educator. While the resolution doesn't allocate new funds or mandate specific curricula, it signals that the DoE should prioritize and potentially resource programs that align with this focus. For a teacher, this might mean more readily available, government-approved lesson plans or resources focusing on the Constitution. For a parent, it means expecting more history and civics showing up in the curriculum around September.
Real-World Impact: What This Means for You
Since this is a resolution, it won't directly cost you money or change federal regulations. Its impact is cultural and educational. If you're a busy professional aged 25-45, you might start seeing more historical content or civic discussions pop up in your social feeds or local news during September. If you have kids in school, expect a renewed emphasis on the Constitution and the Founding Fathers around Constitution Day. The biggest potential challenge here is the vagueness of the DoE's role: exactly how much support they provide, and which specific materials they choose to endorse, remains undefined. But ultimately, this resolution is a clear push for more civic literacy, hoping to make the complex history of the nation more accessible and relevant to everyone.