FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Washington, DC — On December 6 the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Crucial Communism Teaching Act with a vote of 327–62. The bill, introduced by Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) and cosponsored by 33 members of the House, seeks to address a gap in the education system related to the history of communism.
“Communism is one of the most destructive political ideologies the world has ever seen,” Rep. Maria Salazar said when reintroducing the bill earlier last year. “The Crucial Communism Teaching Act is important because our youth must remember the crimes of the communists, including those inflicted upon my constituents and their families in Florida’s 27th district.”
Chairman of The Remembrance Society (TRS) Former Congressman Don Ritter stated, “Today on International Human Rights Day The Remembrance Society applauds Congressman Maria Salazar and the U.S. House of Representatives for their leadership on passing the Crucial Communism Teaching Act. This important legislation will help ensure that Americans know the truth about the destructive nature of communist and totalitarian ideologies… to oppose them in the present and to prevent them in the future. We urge the U.S. Senate to also pass the bill expeditiously.”
“As the U.S. representative for Florida’s 26th district, home to many exiles from Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and other oppressive regimes, I stand with those who have been forced into exile in search of freedom in the United States. For that reason, I proudly cosponsored the Crucial Communism Teaching Act, alongside my colleague and fellow South Floridian Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar, which recently passed the House. In a world where freedom, democracy, human rights, and individual liberty are increasingly at risk, it is crucial that our youth understand the historical context and deadly consequences of communism, which has led to the deaths of more than 100 million people. By fostering this understanding, we equip our future leaders with the knowledge and wisdom necessary to safeguard the democratic principles upon which America was founded. The work of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation and The Remembrance Society in developing a civic education curriculum and oral history resources for high school students is critical to ensuring that future generations understand the grim consequences of dangerous ideologies that contradict the foundational principles of American democracy. This important legislation reflects our commitment to preserving the values of freedom and democracy and to standing in solidarity with those who continue to struggle for basic human rights around the world. I look forward to continuing to strengthen our resilient and flourishing democracy at home and to help those still seeking to be free,” said Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart.
Founding TRS Vice Chairman, Trustee, and Director of Education Programs David Satter, one of the most respected experts on the history of the Soviet Union where he lived as a correspondent for the London Financial Times for six years, stated, “Unfortunately, a knowledge of the history of totalitarian regimes is sadly lacking in the West. This is why educating students and commemorating totalitarianism’s victims is so important. True knowledge creates an important barrier in the way of those who seek unlimited power and are indifferent to the cost in human lives. By reaffirming the value of those who were killed, it can also help guide political choices necessary for a better future.”
Maximo Alvarez, President of Sunshine Gasoline Distributors Inc, one of the largest gasoline distributors in Florida, and Founding Trustee of The Remembrance Society, stated “My family has fled totalitarianism and communism more than once. I heard the promises of Fidel Castro and I will never forget all those who grew up around me—who looked like me, who suffered, starved, and died because they believed the empty promises of these regimes. Those empty promises and ideas are being repeated here in America today—young Americans must be educated about the truth of totalitarian ideology, and why the system of government and liberty that sets America apart must be respected and protected.”
Founding TRS Executive Director and Trustee Kristina Olney, who was honored to work with Congressman Salazar and her team on the introduction of this incredibly important bill, which had over 60 Members of Congress co-sponsoring upon introduction of the bill in 2022, stated , “Educating people about the crimes of totalitarian regimes is the only way to prevent the totalitarian horrors of the twentieth century from being repeated. The fight for human freedom against totalitarian oppression is still being waged every day, and we are committed to standing for truth, memory, and liberty.”
Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Mike Johnson (R-LA) also applauded the House of Representatives for the passage of the bill stating “Communism has a long, dark history of political suppression, persecution, and violence. Unfortunately, the realities of communism are often overlooked or downplayed in our educational system, allowing malign foreign actors to push their agendas and influence American institutions. As we face growing challenges from adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party, the Crucial Communism Teaching Act takes a stand against this dangerous trend. It is more important than ever that our students are taught the true dangers of communism and the importance of safeguarding our freedoms.”
Please direct any media inquiries to info@remembrancesociety.org or (202) 355-9422.
