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June 05, 2003 EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 08 WHEREAS, on September 17, 2002, the 215th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution, President George W. Bush noted “Our Founders believed that the study of history and civics should be at the core of every American’s education…,” and further noted that “…our children today have large and disturbing gaps in their knowledge of history…;” and WHEREAS, the President cited national studies which provide evidence our country is losing ground in teaching young people the history of how our Nation gained its liberty and independence, how patriots in every generation have helped keep our liberty and fulfill the promise of freedom and equality, and how young people can serve their community, state, and nation as good citizens; and WHEREAS, the President issued a national call to action to renew the teaching of American history and civics as a foundation for good citizenship and service, from the White House Rose Garden in ceremonies on Constitution Day, 2002; and WHEREAS, the President subsequently convened on May 1, 2003, the White House Forum on Teaching American History, Civics and Service, with a stated purpose to effect change in our country so that “…our schools may again be places where students learn the sacred duties and inestimable blessings of being an American;” and WHEREAS, the State of Alabama is providing and is poised to provide even greater leadership to the country in the education of young people in American history, civics, and government, through its American Village nationally pioneering educational classroom and laboratory created under the Citizenship Trust as provided in §16-44A-30 et seq., Code of Alabama 1975, as amended; and WHEREAS, this statewide educational classroom laboratory serves students on-site from throughout Alabama, and from other states as well, and makes history and civics educational and outreach services available to all schools in Alabama; and WHEREAS, educational assessment demonstrates this program is an important and effective way to engage young people as active participants in learning critical academic subjects of American history, civics, and government, and in modeling civic participation; and WHEREAS, Alabamians are patriotic American citizens, and they believe that our country must never forget the heroes in every generation who have with courage and sacrifice helped secure the blessings of liberty for us and for our posterity, and are justifiably proud that this State is among the first of States of this Nation to publicly identify and develop a statewide strategy to renew the teaching of American history and civics as a foundation for building good citizens; and WHEREAS, by Act 2001-970 the Legislature designated the American Village Citizenship Trust statewide history and civics classroom as a Veterans Living Legacy to honor America’s veterans and the cause of liberty which they served; and
Executive Order No. 8 Page Two WHEREAS, in Fall, 2003, the Citizenship Trust will, with state, regional, and national representatives in attendance at The American Village in Montevallo, lay a “Cornerstone of Liberty” upon which it will build good citizens, and educate and inspire young people for generations to come; and WHEREAS, this nationally-prominent cornerstone-laying will invite leaders in all walks of life from around the nation to mutually pledge to educate and inspire new generations of young people and teach America’s story of liberty. NOW THEREFORE, based upon these considerations, and for other good and valid reasons which relate thereto, I, Bob Riley, Governor of the State of Alabama, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Alabama, do hereby designate the American Village Citizenship Trust Statewide Educational Center and Classroom Laboratory in American History, Civics, and Government, as created by §16-44A-30 et seq., Code of Alabama, 1975, as amended, and further pursuant to Act 2001-970, as this State’s American History and Civics Initiative. BE IT FURTHER ORDERED THAT, I do hereby create and charge the American Village Cornerstone of Liberty Commission to cooperate and work jointly with the Board of Trustees of The American Village Citizenship Trust, as follows: 1. To attain the goal for Alabama to educate and inspire its students in critical academic areas of American history and civics, as a foundation for building good citizens, and thereby to help lead the Nation in responding to the call to action by United States President George W. Bush. 2. To help invite and host local, state, regional, and national leaders at national ceremonies to lay the “Cornerstone of Liberty” at the American Village Citizenship Trust. 3. To review and make recommendations to secure state and national private and public support for the Cornerstone of Liberty American History and Civics Initiative of The American Village Citizenship Trust, which has as its goal to educate and inspire 100,000 students on-site annually at the state’s American history and civics classroom, and also to reach hundreds of thousands of other students in their own local classrooms through a voluntary classroom outreach program in American history and civics, with the mission to help students know American history, cherish the ideals of liberty, and serve our country as good citizens. 4. To recommend other ways in which Alabama can help respond to the call to action issued by United States President George W. Bush, and to help lead this country in a return to the principles set forth by our Founders, that knowledge of American history and civics is an essential foundation for good citizenship. Executive Order No. 8 Page Three BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that all members of the Commission shall serve in this capacity without compensation or reimbursement for such service; the Executive Director of the American Village Citizenship Trust shall serve, without compensation or reimbursement for such service, as ex officio secretary and executive director of the Commission; and that the Commission shall make annual reports to the Governor and Legislature on or before Constitution Day, September 17, 2003, and 2004. BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that this Executive Order shall be effective on Flag Day, June 14, 2003, and shall remain in effect, unless otherwise amended or modified by the Governor. DONE AND ORDERED this 5th day of June, 2003.
____________________________________ Bob Riley Governor Attested: __________________________________ Nancy L. Worley Secretary of State | |
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