Senate mandates lessons on Constitution, other studies

Scott Reeder

Wednesday, April 7, 1999 | 10:34 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A bill requiring the U.S. Constitution be taught to Nevada schoolchildren sparked a two-hour debate in the Senate on Tuesday afternoon, but ended up being passed 19-2.

Sen. Joe Neal, D-North Las Vegas, objected to the proposal, saying it does not fully reflect the diversity of American history.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Mark James, R-Las Vegas, would also require that the Declaration of Independence, Federalist Papers, Gettysburg Address, Emancipation Proclamation and George Washington's Farewell Address be taught.

"All of these reflect either the formation or the re-formation of our country," James said. "These are things about our country that children should learn."

Neal introduced an amendment to the bill that would add 17 more things for history teachers to teach. The list ranged from "Common Sense" by Thomas Paine to Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "Letter from the Birmingham Jail." The amendment failed on a 13-8 vote.

"History is a weaving of many things that form a tapestry that is taught our children," said Sen. Bob Coffin, D-Las Vegas, who with Neal cast the nay votes on the bill. Coffin said the bill's focus was far too narrow.

"What we were trying to do with the amendment is load it down with so many things that it couldn't possibly pass the Legislature," Neal said. "Not only do I think this bill doesn't reflect our diversity, I also think it is wrong to mandate what teachers can teach. They need to have more flexibility. They already can teach all of the things he is proposing. But right now it is at their discretion."

The debate on Senate Bill 285 was marred by racial undertones, said Sen. Maurice Washington, R-Sparks, who is black. "I don't think that is fair," he said. "The Constitution is something that affects us all. The other five items also unite us -- whether our ancestors came here as immigrants or on a slave ship. ... America is a wonderful experiment that we have been taking part in for more than 200 years."