Constitution Day Forum:
Recorded on September 16, 2002
The horrible events that occurred last September 11, and the year
since, remind us of an important lesson: that the patriotism of any
one moment must become an informed and long-lasting commitment to
America's principles and purposes. Yet study after study show that
we are not teaching the next generation these ideas. Over half of
high school seniors failed to demonstrate even a basic knowledge of
American history in the latest National Assessment of Educational
Progress exam. Is it any surprise that a recent poll found that
over two-thirds of college students do not believe that American
values are any better than those of other nations, and that more
than half believe that United States policies are "at least
somewhat responsible" for the September 11 terrorist attacks? What
can be done to correct this problem? What is the long-term effect
of such civic illiteracy on our liberty and constitutional
government? Please join us as we celebrate Constitution Day.