WHEREAS, our nation’s longstanding and ongoing experiment in self-governance requires a citizenry with an understanding of the nation’s laws and government; the skills for discussion and working together across difference; and a widespread commitment to the civic strength of our communities; and

WHEREAS, civic education is vital to sustaining and strengthening constitutional democracy in the United States of America; and

WHEREAS, schools, libraries, museums, cultural institutions, and historic sites play a central role in teaching and building the civic strength of our populace and nation; and

WHEREAS, in 2026, Virginia will be celebrating the 250^th anniversary of the great American experiment in independence and self-governance that was sparked by the civic knowledge and engagement of Virginia-born nation builders; and

WHEREAS, the continual practice of democracy must be taught and learned anew by each generation to preserve the nation that the Founding Fathers established; and

WHEREAS, our communities, states, and country are stronger when citizens are more informed and engaged in the efforts to improve the world around them; and

WHEREAS, Civic Engagement Week seeks to unite our communities and highlight the importance of civic knowledge, skills, dispositions, and engagement that provide the foundation for an informed and engaged populace; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia has prioritized and invested in civic learning through the adoption of more rigorous civics standards, enhanced middle school civics learning experiences and trainings with the support of the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, the expansion of speech and debate programs under the leadership of The Richmond Forum, and myriad oratory and other contests and events which celebrate the freedoms inherent to our democracy;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize March 10-14, 2025, as CIVIC ENGAGEMENT WEEK in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.