Richard Dreyfuss has been praised and criticized for his work in trying to educate young people about American history and the Constitution. He has said: “America is falling far short in preparing its children to become leaders and participants in the democratic system.” Not sure how I feel about this comment, but nonetheless I have in the past applauded his efforts.
From the AP:
ALBANY, N.Y. — Oscar winner Richard Dreyfuss is receiving the 2010 Empire State Archives and History Award for his efforts to improve civics education in America’s schools.
According to the Archives Partnership Trust, the award ceremony was part of a public discussion with nationally prominent Lincoln scholar Harold Holzer scheduled for Tuesday night in Albany, N.Y.
Dreyfuss launched The Dreyfuss Initiative last year to spur interest in strengthening American democracy by promoting civics education. His films include “Jaws” and “The Goodbye Girl,” for which he won an Academy Award for best actor.
Other recipients of the award include actor Sam Waterston and historians Doris Kearns Goodwin and Henry Louis Gates Jr.
The Archives Partnership Trust is a non-profit that supports the New York State Archives.
Online: http://www.archives.nysed.gov
FORUM ON AMERICA’S CIVIC CRISIS SET FOR JANUARY 17
A national forum on the deepening crisis in our civic culture will be held on January 17. The forum will be simulcast from the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, DC and the Kroc Center for Peace and Justice at the University of San Diego starting at 1:00 p.m. EST.
It’s Time for a Talk; The National Conversation on Revitalizing America’s Civic Culturehttp://www.timeforatalk.org/ brings together leaders from across the political spectrum to review the current civics crisis and the loss of decorum and civility in our public processes.
“When those who serve our nation, and citizens participating in open public processes, are gunned down we have to take action”, stated Richard Dreyfuss, Academy Award winning actor and President of The Dreyfuss Initiative. “The January 17 forum will review a crisis that was years in the making and seek solutions for moving America back from the brink.”
The panel will include John Fund [WSJ], Bob Edgar [President, Common Cause], Roy Romer [Former Governor & School Superintendent], Admiral Bruce Boland [ret], Frank Luntz [Pollster], Rick Shenkman [VoteIQ], and Diane Ravitch [commentator].
Richard Dreyfuss will make opening remarks. Scot Faulkner [former CAO of the House of Representatives] will moderate the event.
For more information visit: http://www.timeforatalk.org/
Coverage of the event and media availability of panelists before and after the event should be arranged with:
San Diego: Eva M. Stimson, EMS MC, Inc.,828/832-8297, 858/864-8536 (mobile), emsmarketing1@cox.net Washington, DC: Scot Faulkner, Executive Director, The Dreyfuss Initiative304-535-2757, 703-598-5548 (mobile), smf53@aol.com