A joint resolution to establish the Speaker's Civic Achievement Awards Program to be administered under the Librarian of Congress to recognize achievement in civic literacy by students, classes, and schools throughout the Nation in grades 5 through 8, and for other purposes.
PL 100-158 (H.J.Res.309), enacted 11/09/1987

101 STAT. 896 
PUBLIC LAW 100-158—NOV. 9, 1987 
Public Law 100-158 
100th Congress 
IV'' 
Joint Resolution 
Nov. 9, 1987 
[H.J. Res. 309] 
Education. 
Close Up 
Foundation. 
2 u s e 1001 note. 
2 u s e 1001. 
Regulations. 
Providing support for the eivic Achievement Award Program in Honor of the Office 
of Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
Whereas the continuing strength and vitality of American demo-
cratic traditions depend on the civic awareness of future 
generations; 
Whereas there is a need to improve the level of civic literacy of 
American elementary school students and to better their under-
standing of American history, government, geography, economics, 
and current events; 
Whereas students in the fifth grade through the eighth grade are at 
a critical stage for development of values, character, and 
attitudes; 
Whereas school libraries and local libraries, as repositories of the 
record of American history and democratic traditions, are 
appropriate focal points for civic literacy education; 
Whereas in view of the central role of the House of Representatives 
in our system of government, it is appropriate, in conjunction with 
the Bicentennial of the House of Representatives and in honor of 
the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives, to suppport 
a national civic achievement award program for students, classes, 
and schools; 
Whereas the Library of Congress, as a national symbol of learning, 
literacy, and culture, is an appropriate institution to assist in this 
endeavor; and 
Whereas the Close Up Foundation, a nonpartisan, nonprofit, edu-
cational organization for citizen involvement in government, is an 
appropriate organization to conduct such a program: Now, 
therefore, be it 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SUPPORT FOR THE CIVIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD PROGRAM IN 
HONOR OF THE OFFICE OF SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF 
REPRESENTATIVES. 
The Librarian of Congress is authorized to make disbursements to 
the Close Up Foundation, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization 
incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia. Such 
disbursements— 
(1) shall be made upon application by the Foundation and in 
such form and manner as the Librarian may prescribe by 
regulation; and 
(2) shall be solely for the purpose of assisting the Foundation 
in conducting the Civic Achievement Award Program in Honor 
of the Office of Speaker of the House of Representatives 
described in section 2. 
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PUBLIC LAW 100-158—NOV. 9, 1987 
101 STAT. 897 
SEC. 2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROGRAM. 
2 USC 1002. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Civic Achievement Award Program in 
Honor of the Office of Speaker of the House of Representatives shall 
be conducted by the Close Up Foundation, in cooperation with the 
National 
Association 
of Elementary 
School 
Principals. 
The 
program— 
(1) shall be designed to inspire learning of American history, 
'^'- -^^'^ -
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government, geography, economics and current events in the 
fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth grades; 
(2) shall recognize achievement in civic literacy by students, 
classes, and schools throughout the Nation; 
(3) shall be based upon a specially designed set of learning 
materials and activities that will allow students to develop and 
demonstrate civic knowledge and skills; and 
(4) may include such program elements as individual and 
group projects, mastery of academic materials, development of 
library skills, and community service. 
(b) AWARDS.—The Close Up Foundation shall provide annual 
awards for the program. The awards, in the form of certificates 
signed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and other 
persons designated by the Speaker, shall be presented in the 
following categories: 
(1) Individual students who satisfy award standards. 
(2) Classes with a specified percentage of students who satisfy 
award standards. 
(3) Schools with a specified percentage of students who satisfy 
award standards. 
(c) NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE.— 
Establishment. 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Speaker of the House of Representa-
tives (in consultation with the minority leader of the House of 
Representatives) shall appoint 11 persons who, together with 
the Librarian of Congress, one representative of the Close Up 
Foundation, and one representative of the National Association 
of Elementary School Principals, shall constitute a national 
committee to advise the Close Up Foundation on the structure 
and administration of the program. The 11 persons appointed 
under the preceding sentence shall serve at the pleasure of the 
Speaker. 
(2) EXPENSES.—Members of the committee shall serve without 
compensation, except that, while away from their homes or 
regular places of business in the performance of services for the 
committee, members shall be allowed expenses in the same 
manner as persons employed intermittently in the Government 
service are allowed expenses under section 5703 of title 5, 
United States Code. 
(d) PARTICIPATION BY LIBRARIES.—School libraries and local librar-
ies shall, to the extent practicable, serve as the primary centers for 
the distribution of materials and the coordination of testing and 
evaluation for the program. 
SEC. 3. AUDITS AND REPORTS. 
2 USC 1003. 
(a) AUDITS.—The Comptroller General shall conduct annual and 
other necessary audits of the program and shall submit reports of 
such audits to the House of Representatives and to the Librarian of 
Congress. 
03) REPORTS.—The Close Up Foundation shall submit to the House 
of Representatives and to the Librarian of Congress semiannual 
101 STAT. 898 
PUBLIC LAW 100-158—NOV. 9, 1987 
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reports of the activities of the program as follows: (1) not later than 
July 31 of each year, a report relating to the 6-month period ending 
on the preceding June 30; and (2) not later than January 31 of each 
year, a report relating to the 6-month period ending on the preced-
ing December 31. 
2 u s e 1004. 
SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
, i ., ,i ^ u, 
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this joint 
resolution not more than $680,000 for the fiscal year ending Septem-
ber 30, 1988 (of which not more than $100,000 shall be available for 
reimbursement of expenses of the program incurred during the 
period beginning on July 1,1987, and ending on September 30,1987), 
and $680,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30,1989. 
Approved November 9, 1987. 
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LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.J. Res. 309: 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 100-221 (Comm. on House Administration). 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 100-172 (Comm. on Rules and Administration). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 133 (1987): 
July 21, considered and passed House. 
Oct. 1, considered and passed Senate, amended. 
Oct. 27, House concurred in Senate amendment.