[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 712 Introduced in House (IH)]

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117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 712

Expressing support for the recognition of the first Thursday of October 
                      as ``U.S. Territories Day''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            October 8, 2021

 Mr. Sablan (for himself, Mrs. Radewagen, Miss Gonzalez-Colon, Mr. San 
 Nicolas, and Ms. Plaskett) submitted the following resolution; which 
 was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition 
     to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be 
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration 
  of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee 
                               concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Expressing support for the recognition of the first Thursday of October 
                      as ``U.S. Territories Day''.

Whereas the United States territories of American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the 
        Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands are 
        of integral importance to the fabric of our Nation;
Whereas Chamorro, Refaluwasch, Samoan, Taino, Latino, Afro-Caribbean, and other 
        cultures exist within the territories;
Whereas Americans living in the territories serve in the military at an 
        exceptionally high rate relative to other States;
Whereas the territories are of vital strategic importance to the United States;
Whereas many Americans living in the 50 States are unaware of the existence of 
        the territories;
Whereas many maps of the United States do not depict the United States 
        territories;
Whereas complete civic education is necessary for the ongoing stewardship and 
        defense of our democracy; and
Whereas the House of Representatives recognizes the first Thursday of each 
        October as ``U.S. Territories Day'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) expresses support for the recognition of ``U.S. 
        Territories Day'';
            (2) encourages educators across the country to set aside 
        time on this day to teach students about the United States 
        territories;
            (3) further encourages--
                    (A) the President of the United States to issue a 
                reciprocal Presidential proclamation to this 
                resolution; and
                    (B) the Senate to affirm a resolution reciprocal to 
                this resolution; and
            (4) requests that the Smithsonian Institution make 
        educational materials publicly available for educators which 
        include--
                    (A) maps of the United States that depict the 
                United States territories alongside the 50 States;
                    (B) materials to teach the history of cultural 
                groups tied to the territories;
                    (C) materials that highlight the contributions to 
                America made by the people of the territories;
                    (D) materials that tell the story of the sacrifices 
                made by members of our Armed Forces who hail from the 
                territories; and
                    (E) materials that are appropriate for a variety of 
                grade levels.
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