This was the second meeting of the Commission on Civic Literacy. I was appointed to this commission by Speaker Busch as the representative from the Ways and Means Committee. This is a special commission tasked to look for ways to increase the civic literacy for Marylanders. We are focusing on school programs and reviewing programs which have seen success in other states.
In 1999 the federal government conducted an education progress survey and found just 25 percent of school children could achieve a proficient score on civic literacy. Our state leads the nation in requiring service-learning (combining community service with academic study) but more needs to be done to make sure that our young people become active, responsible, and competent citizens.
This evening was the 21st Annual Memorial Service for Victims of Domestic Violence held in the Joint Hearing Room here in Annapolis. The Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence has labored to raise awareness of the toll this issue takes on families. I am encouraged to see that Governor O’Malley is making this a priority issue this year and has requested legislation to require those who are subject to protective orders to surrender their firearms. Where there is a threat of violence, we must do more to protect these victims and their families.