National American History and Founders Month Act

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 10781 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                               H. R. 10781

  To amend title 36, United States Code, to request the President to 
 designate a month each year as National American History and Founders 
                                 Month.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            October 9, 2026

    Mr. Haridopolos (for himself and Ms. McClellan) introduced the 
  following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 
  To amend title 36, United States Code, to request the President to 
 designate a month each year as National American History and Founders 
                                 Month.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``National American History and 
Founders Month Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) As the United States celebrates the 250th anniversary 
        of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, the 
        United States is a Nation characterized by cultural and 
        geographic diversity and uniquely bound by a common heritage 
        and history that began on July 4, 1776, with the profound words 
        of the Declaration of Independence.
            (2) The preservation and understanding of the history of 
        the United States and the principles of the Founding Fathers 
        are intrinsic values that unite the people of the United States 
        and provide a foundation for understanding the origins and 
        ideals of the United States by providing a common bond.
            (3) Presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson 
        stressed the crucial role of an informed citizenry in a free 
        society. They believed that an educated and knowledgeable 
        citizenry was essential for the survival of a democratic 
        republic and for the preservation of liberty.
            (4) Civics education in the United States has experienced a 
        significant decline, with only 13 percent of eighth graders 
        proficient in United States history and 22 percent of eighth 
        graders proficient in civics, according to the 2022 National 
        Assessment of Educational Progress.
            (5) A decline in civics education impairs the ability of 
        young people of the United States to engage meaningfully with 
        public officials and appreciate the philosophical foundations 
        of the American Revolutionary period, the Declaration of 
        Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the 
        Bill of Rights.
            (6) Civics education for students can raise awareness of 
        the significant events, influential figures, and philosophical 
        bases that shaped the United States, inspiring a renewed 
        appreciation for its rich history.
            (7) Educational and service organizations in law, political 
        science, and related fields should be encouraged to support the 
        study of the history of the United States to cultivate informed 
        and engaged citizens to understand the documents that define 
        the United States, including the Declaration of Independence, 
        the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights.
            (8) Designating a month as National American History and 
        Founders Month would also aid in the discovery, collection, and 
        preservation of historical records, documents, monuments, and 
        structures that illuminate the history of the first founders 
        and their descendants.
            (9) November is the month during which the United States 
        celebrates Thanksgiving. President George Washington issued the 
        first national Thanksgiving proclamation designating Thursday, 
        November 26, 1789, as a day of public prayer and gratitude for 
        the United States. Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation 
        officially establishing Thanksgiving Day as a national holiday 
        to designate the last Thursday of November as a day for 
        thanksgiving and unity. Designating a month as National 
        American History and Founders Month would extend this tradition 
        of unity and gratitude for the United States by deepening the 
        understanding and appreciation for the United States by the 
        people of the United States.
            (10) A permanent designation of a National American History 
        and Founders Month would encourage schools, communities, and 
        organizations to host events, educational programs, and 
        initiatives that celebrate and teach the history of the United 
        States and the contributions of the Founding Fathers.
            (11) The unique circumstances and events that created the 
        United States must be well known by the citizenry of the United 
        States so as to perpetuate into the future the values and 
        rights of the United States of individual freedom, liberty, and 
        the pursuit of happiness.
            (12) Such a designation will inspire young people of the 
        United States to learn about and take pride in the history of 
        the United States, fostering a sense of unity and shared 
        purpose.

SEC. 3. DESIGNATION.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 1 of part A of subtitle I of title 36, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 149. National American History and Founders Month
    ``The President is requested each year to designate a month as 
National American History and Founders Month and to call on the people 
of the United States, and the chief executive officers of each State of 
the United States, the District of Columbia, and each territory and 
possession of the United States are requested to issue each year 
proclamations calling on the people of their respective jurisdictions, 
to observe such Month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and 
activities that enhance civics education and historical literacy.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 1 of 
part A of subtitle I of title 36, United States Code, is amended by 
adding at the end the following:

``149. National American History and Founders Month.''.
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