A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION, Expressing support for civic education in the public schools in South Dakota, and recognizing March 6, 2013, as Civic Education Day at the State Capitol.

    WHEREAS, civic education is the basis for the establishment of public education in this democracy and the foundation for an informed and educated citizenry; and

    WHEREAS, the United States Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the South Dakota Constitution, and other primary founding documents and speeches provide the structure for our democracy; and

    WHEREAS, more than eighty thousand students in South Dakota have participated in civic education programs such as Kids Voting South Dakota, South Dakota Project Citizen, Representative Democracy in America, and We the People, and by participating, these students are more likely to become civically engaged adults; and

    WHEREAS, the Chiesman Foundation for Democracy and the Center for Civic Education support and make available civic education programs and activities for all South Dakota youth:

    NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Senate of the Eighty-Eighth Legislature

of the State of South Dakota, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that the South Dakota Legislature recognizes the importance of civic education and supports civic education in all public schools in South Dakota; and

    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that March 6, 2013, be recognized as Civic Education Day at the State Capitol.