Murphy Takes Cheshire Resident's Legislative Idea to Washington

Press Release

Murphy Takes Cheshire Resident's Legislative Idea to Washington

Contact: Kristen Bossi

Returns to Washington Today to Introduce Resolution to Encourage Public Schools to Display Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights

Today, Congressman Chris Murphy (CT-5) was joined Cheshire by town resident John White to announce he will be returning to Washington to introduce a resolution to encourage public schools to display the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Mr. White approached Murphy with the idea for this Congressional resolution at a "Congress on your Corner" event at the Cheshire Stop and Shop.

"John had a fantastic idea that will undoubtedly enrich the civic education of students here in Cheshire and across the country. I am grateful that he took the opportunity to meet me at the Cheshire Stop and Shop to share this idea with me. Today, I am taking it to Washington, where I am optimistic it will be embraced by both Republicans and Democrats in the House of Representatives," said Murphy.

Mr. White and Congressman Murphy share the belief that the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, as the framework for American law and government organization, should be displayed in every public school in the country.

"I am deeply concerned about youth education. Young people are 20% of the population but 100% of the future. If young people don't understand and appreciate the fundamentals of America, in a few generations there won't be an America. It is as simple as that. The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are the documents which present those fundamentals," said Mr. White.

According to studies, only 16 percent of adult Americans believe they have a detailed knowledge of the Constitution, and one out of three eighth grade students cannot identify and explain basic constitutional principles. Murphy and Mr. White hope that their legislation will help future generations expand their knowledge about the foundation of our country. Mr. White has already spurred the Cheshire School System to act; all public schools in Cheshire prominently display the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights.

"Cheshire was fortunate to have the resources a few years ago to install framed copies of the Constitution and Declaration of Independence in the lobbies and entranceways of all of our public school facilities. The value to our school community of having a permanent reminder of the virtues and principles of this great nation is immeasurable," said Dr. Greg Florio, Superintendent of Schools in Cheshire, who joined the Murphy and Mr. White at today's press conference.

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