Bill Text
 

 
 
  ||||              LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO             ||||
 Fifty-sixth Legislature                  First Regular Session - 2001
 
 
                              IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 
                             HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 1
 
                                        BY MORTENSEN
 
  1                               A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
  2    STATING FINDINGS OF THE LEGISLATURE CONCERNING CHARACTER EDUCATION  AND  MORAL
  3        DEVELOPMENT IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND A CONCERN THAT TODAY'S U.S. HISTORY HAS
  4        SO  NEGLECTED  THE  REPORTING OF GEORGE WASHINGTON'S VIRTUES THAT STUDENTS
  5        TODAY COULD THINK THEY PLAYED NO ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT  OF THIS NATION.
 
  6    Be It Resolved by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:
 
  7        WHEREAS, with discussions about character and personal responsibility dom-
  8    inating the political landscape, there is a renewed interest in the virtues of
  9    George Washington, "The True Father of our Country," and the  first  and  last
 10    United States president to be elected unanimously; and
 11        WHEREAS,  in  a  letter  to Alexander Hamilton, Washington said: "I hope I
 12    shall always possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain  what  I  consider
 13    the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man."; and
 14        WHEREAS, Washington's "crowning" Rule of Civility: "Labor to keep alive in
 15    your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience."; and
 16        WHEREAS,  John  Adams,  second  U.S. president said: "Washington's example
 17    will teach wisdom and virtue as long as our history shall be read."; and
 18        WHEREAS, Thomas Jefferson said: "The moderation and virtue  of  Washington
 19    probably prevented this (American) revolution from being closed."; and
 20        WHEREAS,  Abraham  Lincoln  said:  "Washington  is  the  mightiest name on
 21    earth...in the cause of civil liberty...in moral reformation."; and
 22        WHEREAS, Benjamin Franklin said: "Only a virtuous people  are  capable  of
 23    freedom."; and
 24        WHEREAS, Daniel Webster said: "The ingenious youth of America will hold up
 25    to  themselves  the  bright model of Washington's example till all its virtues
 26    spread out and display themselves to their delighted vision."; and
 27        WHEREAS,  General  Richard  Henry  Lee  said  at   Washington's   funeral:
 28    "Washington  was  first  in  war,  first  in peace, first in the hearts of his
 29    countrymen; just, humane, temperate, and sincere; uniform, dignified and  com-
 30    manding; his example was edifying to all around him."; and
 31        WHEREAS, Section 24, Article III of the Constitution of the State of Idaho
 32    states: "The legislature should further all wise and well directed efforts for
 33    the promotion of temperance and morality."
 34        NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the members of the First Regular Session
 35    of  the  Fifty-sixth  Idaho  Legislature, the House of Representatives and the
 36    Senate concurring therein, that in U.S. history and civics  classes  in  Idaho
 37    public  schools,  students  are  made aware of, and hopefully inspired by, the
 38    crucial role George Washington's virtues played in forming the  moral  founda-
 39    tion of this nation.
 40        BE  IT  FURTHER  RESOLVED that the Chief Clerk of the House of Representa-
 41    tives be, and she is hereby authorized and directed to facilitate distribution
 42    of this resolution to all entities concerned with public education in Idaho.