Thank you for your kind introduction Gail, I applaud both you and Cathy Gorn for your continued commitment to National History Day. You’ve seen National History Day grow from a local contest to a year-long program serving more than 700,000 students each year. Thank you for leading this important program …and for all you do.

I would also like to acknowledge Dr. Libby O’Connell from The History Channel. Dr. O’Connell is Vice President of Historic Alliances. The History Channel has been a partner of National History Day for more than a decade. It’s great to have you here today. Thank you for your commitment to history and civic engagement.

I also want to welcome all the teachers who are here today. You’ve come from Wisconsin, Illinois, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and D.C. Thank you for taking on such a noble profession.

And I especially want to welcome the outstanding students. And applaud their participation.

To properly understand and love our country, we must know our country's history.

Our Founders believed the study of history and citizenship should be at the core of every American's education.

Yet today, our children have large gaps in their knowledge of history. Studies have shown that nearly one in five high school seniors think that Germany was an ally of the United States in World War II. And 28 percent of eighth graders do not know the reason why the Civil War was fought.

National History Day is important because it is changing these results and improving historical literacy in our nation. National History Day is making a difference. After introducing National History Day into their classrooms, teachers reported that 95 percent of their students showed academic improvement. Students concurred—nearly 80 percent believed that the skills they gained from National History Day would help them with other schoolwork. This is a great success.

Our history is important for all of us to understand, particularly our children, because it gives children a sense of what it means to be an American; a sense of importance of serving something greater than ourselves in life.

And service is what USA Freedom Corps is all about – encouraging others to serve – fostering a culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility. …Whether that is making sure your children know why Martin Luther King, Jr. was in a Birmingham city jail and why he wrote that magnificent letter – or -- as a family, cleaning up public lands – or – getting trained in first aid so you are ready to serve your neighbors in times of disaster.

USA Freedom Corps works closely with National History Day to promote service and civic participation. Together, we have launched the “Our Documents” initiative with the National Archives that work to improve students' knowledge of American history, increase their civic involvement, and deepen their love for our great country.

Indeed, our children should know about the nearly impossible victory of the Revolutionary War, and the debates of the Constitutional Convention. They should need to know about America's liberation of Europe during World War II, and why the Berlin Wall came down.

For 25 years, National History Day has made our history come alive. Through systemic educational reform and special programs, National History Day has reached more than 700,000 students nationwide each year and has become a leading model of performance-based learning. Happy 25th National History Day – thank you for all you do.

I would like to take a few moments to acknowledge two members from the USA Freedom Corps Staff here today. Therese Lyons is our Director of Public Liaison and Katie Loovis is her Associate Director. They have additional information about USA Freedom Corps and the President’s Volunteer Service Award.

The President’s Volunteer Service Award is designed to recognize the millions of volunteers who are dedicated to volunteer service, and at the direction of the President, the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation created the President’s Volunteer Service Award. Americans of every age can qualify for the award, and more than 80,000 Americans have received the Award so far.

Today, I would like to increase that number by presenting Cathy Gorn with the President’s Volunteer Service Award. Cathy helps disabled children with therapeutic riding and serves the D.C. Community in Education programs. I applaud your efforts to be a citizen, not a spectator.

Thank you again for including me in your program today. I would like to leave you with a favorite quote from Benjamin Franklin that I think is fitting our conversation about civic engagement:

Tell me and I forget.
Teach me and I remember.
Involve me and I learn.

Thank you for your interest in making history come alive for our Nation’s young people. Keep up the great work.