The New York Times recently reported a survey showing that more American teenagers could name the Three Stooges than the three branches of the U.S. Government. This startling statistic reveals that many young Americans fail to grasp even the basic elements of citizenship.

The Society's flagship educational program, Where Freedom Speaks, seeks to combat this troubling development. The Where Freedom Speaks pageant, reenacting the historic Masonic ceremony of the laying of the original Capitol cornerstone, enhances children's knowledge of government through participation in creative activities. Students learn about the rights and responsibilities of citizenship embodied in the Constitution's Bill of Rights and laws passed by the U.S. Congress in the Capitol. As one young actor remarks in the videotape that tells how to produce the program, "Where Freedom Speaks shows us that history is in ourselves."

Representative Jim Moran (D-VA) recently reviewed the Where Freedom Speaks kit before it was distributed to nearly two dozen schools in his Northern Virginia district. "As a symbol of our democracy, the U.S. Capitol Building demonstrates the importance of responsible citizenship and the values of the U.S. Constitution to our future leaders -- our young people," Congressman Moran said. "Where Freedom Speaks will provide a valuable educational opportunity for students to learn about, appreciate and embody the values of democracy as they fulfill their leadership potential and carry on our American purpose."

Part of the program's value is that it integrates valuable lessons of individual citizenship with practical classroom activities. Through the production process, students hone skills in such fundamental areas as history and research, mathematics and design, singing and public speaking, acting and socialization. The pageant format is flexible, allowing teachers to involve from 25 to 100 students from various grade levels. Teachers also may add their own ideas, other patriotic songs or historical references to legislation or issues.

A boxed kit provides teachers with instructions on how to produce the play at their schools. It includes an instructional video for teachers, an audiotape with the play's musical score, a lesson guide, a production guide and a copy of the script and sheet music.

Since the pageant's debut in 1994 at the St. Francis de Sales School in Philadelphia, PA, more than 900 kits have been distributed nationwide through the generous support of sponsors including General Dynamics Corporation, Kemper Insurance Companies, GTE Corporation and The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation. Twenty-five Members of Congress have supported the program by reviewing the play and writing letters of introduction to educators receiving the kit.

Youth Forum Series

An outgrowth of the Society's "Outstanding Members of Congress" book series, the Youth Forums bring together high school students and panels of distinguished incumbent and former Members of Congress for a day of lively discussion and positive interactions. Forum topics include: Athletes of Congress, African Americans of Congress and Women in Public Service.

The Society recently held two Youth Forums on African Americans in Public Service, one in Washington, D.C. and the other in New York City. The Washington, D.C., Forum, held on September 30, 1999 in the Dirksen Senate Office Building, hosted almost 300 high school students from public and private schools in D.C., Maryland and Virginia. Moderated by Washington Post News Correspondent Juan Williams, students interacted with various public servants, including Representatives Sanford Bishop, Jr. (D-GA), Eva Clayton (D-NC), James Clyburn (D-SC), Julia Carson (D-IN), Chaka Fattah (D-PA); Former Representative Louis Stokes (D-OH); and Former Senator Carol Moseley-Braun (D-IL).

The Forum held in New York City on March 27, 2000, featured a variety of public officials from the national, state and local levels engaging in lively dialogue with students from sixteen high schools, representing all five city boroughs. Moderated by City Councilman Bill Perkins of the 9th District, speakers included Representative Gregory Meeks (D-NY) and Former Representative Louis Stokes (D-OH); City Councilmembers Archie Spigner, Tracy Boyland, and Annette Robinson; and New York Board of Regent members Eleanor Powell and Dr. Ena Farley.

The most recent production of the Women in Public Service Forum was held in November 1997 at the Commonwealth Club of California in San Francisco. The program, sponsored by AirTouch Communications Foundation, drew together 100 of the Bay Area's top female high school students and women public servants from local, state and national politics. TV reporter Jan Yanehiro moderated several panels that included such prominent participants as former Congresswoman Shirley Pettis-Roberson (R-CA), Barbara Vucanovich (R-NV) and Lynn Schenk (D-CA).

A 90-minute videotape of the Women in Public Service Forum brings that discussion to high schools, colleges and community mentoring groups interested in the subject matter. It also serves as a model for those who wish to host a similar event. Participants and students engaged in a lively and frank debate on such topics as sexual discrimination in the workplace, affirmative action, public cynicism and the role of the media in politics, campaign ethics and finance reform, and the personal demands and sacrifices that come with a career in politics.

In the spring of 1998, the Society hosted a forum based on the Outstanding Athletes of Congress book (1997) that featured current and former athletes in Congress. Moderated by Washington, D.C., TV sportscaster Rene Knott, the program included such personalities as Wendell Anderson (D-MN), Norm Dicks (D-WA), Jack Kemp (R-NY), Tom McMillen (D-MD), James F. McNulty, Jr. (D-AZ), Wilmer Mizell (R-NC), Mike Oxley (R-OH), Marty Russo (D-IL), Jim Ryun (R-KS), Martin O. Sabo (D-MN), and James T. Walsh (R-NY). More than 200 students from a cross-section of Washington, D.C., schools attended the event. Sponsors for the event included the George Preston Marshall Foundation, Marjorie Merriweather Post Foundation, MARPAT Foundation, and Riggs Bank, N.A.

In Spring 2000, the Society published A Young Person's Guide to the United States Capitol, made possible by a generous grant from GTE. The 23-page, multifaceted guide provides a concise introduction to the history of Washington, D.C., the Capitol and how the Founding Fathers structured the Federal Government under the Constitution. Utilizing maps and simple directions, youngsters are directed through the Capitol, and educational activities are integrated into each area of the tour. The guide includes art, architectural and history projects as well as a bibliography for those wishing to learn more about the Capitol and Congress.

Children enjoy learning when educational programs are relevant, understandable, interesting and challenging. The rationale of the guidebook will be to provide elementary school students with a reference tool that they can use on a self-guided Capitol tour. The program's educational goals are to engage young people in an interdisciplinary study of art, architecture, United States history and the Constitution. The guidebooks are available for purchase through our catalog and at our Kiosk gift shop located on the first floor of the Capitol on the East Front. Please call 1-800-887-9318, ext. 10 for more information.