Patriotic Endeavor

	Patriotic Endeavor
	Americanism and DAR Manual for Citizenship Committee This committee was established in 1919 with a goal of developing better citizenship training for all persons residing in the United States. The objective is to promote knowledge, loyalty, and love of country in the hearts and minds of American citizens, whether naturalized or citizens by birth. Americanism is promoted though school essay and poster contests; placing patriotic literature in schools and libraries; and assisting those studying for American citizenship though the distribution of the DAR Manual for Citizenship, establishing, and when qualified, teaching Americanism and literacy classes. NSDAR began supplying the DAR Manual for Citizenship in 1921 and over 100,000 copies are distributed annually. DAR Americanism Medal - given to an adult man or woman who has been a naturalized United States citizen for at least five years and has fulfilled the required qualifications following naturalization. DAR Americanism Medal recipients must have shown outstanding qualities of trustworthiness, leadership, patriotism, and service. They must have actively assisted other aliens to become American citizens or displayed outstanding ability in community affairs, with an emphasis on the foreign-born community. This award was established in 1958. Medal of Honor - given to an adult man or woman who is a United States citizen by birth and has shown outstanding qualities of leadership, trustworthiness, service, and patriotism. A Medal of Honor recipient must have made unusual and lasting contributions to our American heritage by truly giving of himself to his community, state, country, and fellowman. The Medal of Honor award was authorized in 1972.
	Children of the American Revolution Committee C.A.R. Headquarters, 1776 D Street NW, Washington, DC 20006-5392 The National Society Children of the American Revolution was created February 22, 1895. This organization provides training in patriotism and leadership. Eligibility for membership is the same as for the DAR. Boys and girls may be members from birth until their twenty-second birthday. The objectives are similar to those of DAR adapted to interest young people.
	Constitution Week Committee The Constitution of the United States of America is the safeguard of our liberties, champion of our freedoms. The purposes of the observation and celebration of Constitution Week are: to emphasize the responsibility of protecting and defending the Constitution, and preserving it posterity; to understand that the Constitution is our great heritage and the foundation of our lives; and to study the historical events which occurred during September 1787. The work of this committee is the responsibility of state and chapter chairmen who urge the signing of a Proclamation by Governors, Mayors, and other city officials designating September 17-23 as Constitution Week. This follows the example of the President of the United States. Miss Gertrude S. Carraway, while President General of the NSDAR, was responsible for the annual designation of September 17-23 as Constitution Week. The DAR made its own resolution for Constitution Week, which was adopted April 21, 1955. Members of the United States Congress received the DAR resolution and on June 7, 1955, the resolution was discussed in the Senate. The first resolution to observe Constitution Week was made June 14,1955 by Senator William F. Knowland of California. Following the passage of the resolution by both Houses of Congress, President Eisenhower issued his proclamation on August 19, 1955. The first observance of Constitution Week was so successful that on January 5, 1956, Senator Knowland introduced a Senate Joint Resolution to have the President designate September 17-23 annually as Constitution Week. The resolution was adopted on July 23 and signed into Public Law 915 on August 2, 1956. For his patriotic aid and interest, Senator Knowland received an Award of Commendation from the Continental Congress, NSDAR, in April 1956.
	Flag of the United States of America Committee Established in 1909, this committee was designed to encourage strong patriotic feeling and respect for the Flag of the United States of America. The principle objectives are to Keep the Flag Flying, to protect it continuously under all conditions, insure its correct use and display, and educate children and adults in the authorized rules of The Flag Code adopted by the Congress of the United States, House Document No. 96-144, 96th Congress, 1st Session, April 5, 1979. DAR publishes excerpts from the United States Flag Code in a Flag Code Leaflet. Supporting the committee objectives, various activities include: Programs through the media to make all Americans flag-conscious. Presentations of flags to new citizens at naturalization ceremonies, and schools and youth organizations. Distribution of table flags to veterans’ homes and hospitals and Braille Flags to schools and institutions for the blind and to blind individuals. Presentations of Flag Certificates to institutions, businesses, and individuals for proper display of the Flag.
	Junior American Citizens Committee This committee is the National Society’s second oldest youth-oriented committee. The first JAC club was organized in 1901, “to teach…children some knowledge of the underlying principles of our government, of American sentiment, and of all that will go toward making them good citizens.” The primary purpose today is to encourage good citizenship with its privileges and responsibilities; service to God, Home, and Country; respect for the Flag of the United States of America; and respect for ones self. The JAC program is open to all youth, but especially pre-school though high school, regardless of race, color, creed, or national origin. JAC Contest - an optional contest program is offered annually to preschool though high school students. Chapters judge the entries and send only the first place winners in each category and grade level to the state chairman. After being judged at the state level, only first place winners in each category and grade level are sent to the division vice chairman where they are judged and advanced. Only first place winners in each category and grade level from the division judging are sent to the national contest. The national winners are featured in a special Continental Congress JAC exhibit. National winners receive a certificate and monetary award. Recognition cards are to be presented to every student who enters the contest.