Representatives DeLauro and Blumenauer, Senator Coons, Secretary Albright, Civic Education Leaders Applaud the Passage of America COMPETES Act

Statement

Today, Representatives Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Senator Chris Coons (D-DE), Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, and national leaders in civic education applauded the inclusion of critical provisions to sustain the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation and the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation in the America COMPETES Act. Language to support these congressionally chartered programs was originally included in DeLauro's bipartisan Civics Secures Democracy Act.

"If we do not provide the next generation of leaders with the tools that they need to be successful, our democracy will continue to hang in the balance," said Representative DeLauro. "Not only is the lack of civic education in American classrooms a domestic issue, but it is a national security issue. I am proud to have worked with our strong bipartisan and bicameral coalition of Congressmen Cole and Blumenauer and Senators Coons and Cornyn to secure important provisions that will strengthen the congressionally founded Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation and James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation through the America COMPETES Act. This language was included in our landmark Civics Secures Democracy Act, the most comprehensive Civic Education legislation ever introduced. While there continues to be an urgent need for a robust investment in civic education, the passage of these provisions in the America COMPETES Act is a signal to the country and the world that we can work together, across the aisle, for the betterment of America's future leaders."

"The Truman and Madison Foundations are this country's living memorials to two Americans who shaped the course of our history," said Senator Coons. "The foundations play a crucial role in helping to cultivate the next generation of civic and public leaders, and the advancement of these long-overdue provisions is an essential step toward ensuring that they can continue to do so for many years to come. I am incredibly grateful for the partnership of Senator Cornyn and Representatives DeLauro, Cole, and Blumenauer and their ongoing commitment to challenging and empowering young Americans."

"I'm encouraged that the America COMPETES Act includes provisions from our Civics Secures Democracy Act, making investments in the Truman and Madison Foundations," said Representative Blumenauer. "Civics education has long been a priority of mine and I am glad this bill acknowledges that this is a necessary component of increasing international competitiveness. I look forward to continuing our important work in bolstering civics education alongside Chair DeLauro and the other leads of the Civics Secures Democracy Act."

"Public service leadership is critical to building a vibrant and resilient democracy," said Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. "As President of the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation, I am thrilled that a bipartisan coalition was able to secure provisions to sustain our nation's living memorial to President Truman in the House-passed America COMPETES Act and the Senate-passed U.S. Innovation and Competition Act. Recapitalizing the Truman Foundation's federal trust will allow us to continue serving as a beacon for public service, inspiring and equipping our democracy's next generation of leaders."

"The CivXNow Coalition--which includes more than 200 organizations from across the viewpoint spectrum, all dedicated to advancing civic education--applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for including in the COMPETES Act components of the Civics Secures Democracy Act," said Louise Dubé, the executive director of iCivics, which leads the CivXNow Coalition. "In order to sustain and strengthen our nation's constitutional democracy, we must ensure that all students receive a high-quality civic education."

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