FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JANUARY 18, 2008
KURITA PROMOTES CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY
RESOLUTION
ENCOURAGES PARENTS TO TAKE CHILDREN VOTING
NASHVILLE – As part of a
bipartisan effort to encourage young people to become active participants in the democratic process, Senate Speaker Pre Tempore Senator
Rosalind Kurita, D-Clarksville, has passed a resolution encouraging parents to take their children with them when they
vote.
“Taking our children with us to vote is one of the best ways we can teach them to be responsible and active participants in our
government,” Kurita said. “Taking them with us to vote is one of the best ways to ensure they will grow up to be regular voters
themselves, and that helps to ensure that our system of government remains vibrant for generations to come.”
The Tennessee
Senate unanimously passed SJR604 on Thursday, January 17. The measure now awaits consideration in the House, where it is sponsored by
Representative Gerald McCormick, R-Chattanooga. The legislation “encourage[s] every parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or
adult guardian to take a child with you to vote on election day as a first-hand civic learning experience and an example of good citizenship in
action.”
The
recommendation for the resolution came from the Commission on Civics Education, which was chaired by Sen. Kurita. Formed by the 104th
General Assembly, the commission consisted of members of the House and Senate and representatives from various education groups. It was charged with
examining ways that Tennessee can promote civics education.
“The
commission found that teaching by example is one of the best ways to promote voting,” Kurita said. “Tennessee is currently in the early
voting period for our presidential primary. There is no better time to teach your children to participate in democracy than right
now.”
Kurita is
currently working to spread this message around the state.
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