U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar Florida's 27th District | Official U.S. House headshot
U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar Florida's 27th District | Official U.S. House headshot
Rep. María Elvira Salazar and Senator John Kennedy have reintroduced the Crucial Communism Teaching (CCT) Act in the 119th Congress. The bill, which passed the House of Representatives during the previous Congress, aims to educate students about communism's impact.
Rep. Salazar stated, "Communism is one of the most destructive political ideologies the world has ever seen," emphasizing that educating youth on this topic is crucial for remembering its historical crimes. The CCT Act will provide educational materials through the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation to middle and high schools.
The act is inspired by the Never Again Education Act from 2020, which educates students about the Holocaust via resources from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. Similar efforts are already underway in Florida and other states.
Don Ritter, Founding Chairman of The Remembrance Society and Trustee Emeritus of The Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, remarked on the lack of knowledge about communism among younger generations in the United States. He stated that educating people on these topics helps safeguard America's principles against contemporary communist ideologies.
Dr. Eric Patterson, President and CEO of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, commented on American students' increasing unawareness regarding communist regimes' histories. He supports this legislative effort to ensure students learn about communism's deadly legacy.
Senator Kennedy added his perspective: "Communism is a cancer, and it always produces the same results: oppression, suffering and death." He stressed teaching future generations about communism's threat to liberty.
Cosponsors for this legislation include Rep. John Rutherford (FL-05), Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Rep. Carlos A. Gimenez (FL-28), among others.
A poll conducted by the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation in 2020 highlighted a significant gap in understanding communism among young adults, with some viewing it favorably despite its historical consequences.
The foundation was established by Congress in 1993 to educate Americans on communism's ideology and history.
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