H.C.R. 7 Enrolled

RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING LEGISLATORS
BACK TO SCHOOL WEEK
2004 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Sponsor: Kory M. Holdaway

LONG TITLE
General Description:
This concurrent resolution of the Legislature and the Governor expresses support for
civic education and America's Legislators Back to School Week September 20-24,
2004.
Highlighted Provisions:
This resolution:
. emphasizes the importance of legislators promoting greater understanding of the
legislative process and building public trust and confidence in representative
democracy via civic education;
. recognizes Utah's high level of participation in America's Legislators Back to
School Week from students, teachers, and legislators during 2003; and
. urges increased support for and participation in America's Legislators Back to
School Week, September 20-24, 2004.
Special Clauses:
None

Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
WHEREAS, civic education is a vital tool to promote greater understanding of the
legislative process and the role of legislators in representative democracy and to build public
trust and confidence;
WHEREAS, Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Independence stated, "There
is but one method of rendering a republican form of government . . . by disseminating the

seeds of virtue and knowledge through every part of the state by means of proper places and
modes of education . . . and this can be done effectively only by the aid of the legislature";
WHEREAS, Utah legislators, students, teachers, and administrators realize the importance
of compromise in reconciling competing interests in a diverse society;
WHEREAS, Utah legislators met personally with 16,500 students in 165 schools and 545
classrooms in 2003 to answer questions and listen to concerns on issues affecting students' lives;
and
WHEREAS, the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) established
America's Legislators Back to School Week, a bipartisan event for legislators across the nation to
impart greater understanding of the necessity for debate, negotiation, and compromise in the
legislative process of developing effective public policy, and to engage future voters and leaders in
a dialogue about the value of representative democracy:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the State of Utah, the
Governor concurring therein, support civic education to promote greater understanding of
government and the role of legislators in representative democracy.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor designate
September 20-24, 2004 as Legislators Back to School Week in Utah and urge all members of the
Legislature to visit students in classrooms during that week.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the State
Board of Education and the executive director of the National Conference of State Legislatures.

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