By Beqir SINA WASHINGTON, D. C.
Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and 27 of her colleagues reintroduced the Crucial Communism Teaching (CCT) Act (H.R. 5349) in the 118th Congress.
Memorie.al/ Yesterday, by a majority vote, the American Congress passed Resolution H.R. 5349, “The Crucial Communism Teaching Act” (Akti vendimtar për Mësimin e së vërtetës rreth komunizmit në shkollat amerikane). Resolution H.R. 5349, the decisive Act, passed by a majority vote of 327 ‘Yeas’ and 62 ‘Nays’! However, this resolution must now pass the Senate and the newly elected President, Donald Trump, must sign it immediately. This is expected to be part of the official documents in the first signings made by the President on January 20th, when he is expected to enter the White House after taking the oath.
It is thought that the Albanian tragedy – the roughly 46 years of communist dictatorship in Albania – will be included in this curriculum!
Brent Hamachek of Humane Events, along with a group of old “Vatrans” (members of the Vatra federation), former persecuted individuals during Enver Hoxha’s communist regime in Albania, including “Vatrans” Çezar Ndreu, Agim and Laura Rexha, Lindita Komani, Ervin Dine, Matilda Mirakaj, Enriketa Papa, Frank and Vickie Markgjonaj Shkreli, Adi Krasta, Lek Mirakaj, and Idriz Lamaj, and many other contributors, are the compilers of the curriculum to include the Albanian tragedy, the approximately 46 years of the fierce communist dictatorship in Albania!
The chapter on Albania, according to the “Vatrans,” has been prepared for several years:
On their website, the initiators of this curriculum for Albania state that they have held several activities with Albanian-Americans, Albanian and foreign scientific researchers, and conducted several interviews. Especially, according to them, it was the “Vatrans” who made all the efforts and provided moral and material assistance to this vital cause, for the chapter on Albania, which has been prepared for several years.
The draft resolution by Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar, a Republican from Florida, and supported by 27 of her colleagues who reintroduced the Crucial Communism Teaching (CCT) Act (H.R. 5349) in the 118th Congress, was successful this time, as the (CCT) (H.R. 5349) received a 2/3 majority of the House of Representatives, 327 ‘Yea’ votes.
“Communism is one of the most destructive political ideologies the world has ever seen,” said Republican Congresswoman Salazar, speaking from Capitol Hill. “The Crucial Communism Teaching Act is important because our youth must remember the crimes of the communists, including those inflicted on my constituents and their families in Florida’s 27th District (Cuban, Chinese, Russian, Albanian, Venezuelan, and others).”
The Crucial Communism Teaching Act makes educational materials available through the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation to help educate elementary and secondary school students about the dangers of communism and totalitarianism, and how they contradict the founding principles of freedom and democracy in the United States.
The draft resolution states that over 100 million people have died due to the tragic legacy of communism. However, due to a lack of accurate educational materials, almost one-third of ‘Generation Z’ members have a favorable view of communism. The framework of the CCT Act is inspired by the Never Again Education Act, passed by Congress in 2020, which created a program to educate American students about the Holocaust through the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.1
The bill also continues similar efforts by Florida and other states to educate American studen2ts about the failed experiment of communism throughout history.
“American students deserve to know the truth: communism is not a promise for a more equitable future – it is a brutal ideology that runs counter to democracy and the very principles upon which our nation was founded,” said Ken Pope, CEO of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation.
“Sadly, our youth are increasingly unaware of the dark legacy of communism, from the more than 100 million killed and over 1.5 billion held as slaves in internment and labor camps to this day. The Crucial Communism Teaching Act will help correct this mistake as we work to wipe this evil ideology from the ash heap of history. Together, we can remember the victims and stand on the right side of history,” he said.
What House of Representatives Members (Lawmakers) Said:
“Communism has led to the death of over 100 million victims worldwide. It has failed every time it has been judged, and unfortunately, surveys today show that one in five millennials and one in three members of ‘Generation Z’ have a positive outlook on communism. Wow, Mr. Speaker, those data are alarming. And solutions start with ensuring accurate education,” said Representative Tim Walberg.
Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, a Republican from New York, voted for the approval of Resolution H.R. 5349 and emphasized how important it is for young Americans to understand how communism is a failed political system that brings only misery and depression to vulnerable societies.
“I am proud to support this bill, which empowers the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation to develop a civic education curriculum with resources of history narrated by those who survived that tragedy, for high school students, to learn about malignant and dangerous ideologies that contradict the fundamental principles of American democracy. In a world where freedom, democracy, human rights, and individual liberty are under attack, it is essential that our youth understand the historical context and deadly consequences of communism that 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 protect the principles upon which America was founded. I remain unwavering in my commitment to remember the victims of communism and to ensure that future generations are aware of its gloomy consequences for humanity over the past century. I look forward to a future where the lessons of history will guide us toward a stronger democracy,” said Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart.
“Communism is dangerous, it is evil, and our children are being lied to about its merits. We must do a better job of educating our youth so that the horrors of communism never see the light of day on US soil. This is the freest country in the world, and education is how we keep it that way. I am proud to co-sponsor Congresswoman Salazar’s Crucial Communism Teaching Act, so we can improve our school curriculum and set our students up for success,” said Congressman Buddy Carter.
“In the 20th century, communism killed 94 million people. We must warn the next generation about this terrible reality and educate them on the importance of keeping our great freedom free. I am pleased to stand with Congresswoman Salazar and defend the founding principles of America’s freedom,” said Congressman Doug LaMalfa.
“It is essential that we ensure students are taught the history of the terrible death and destruction caused by communism and the current dangers of this ideology. I remain concerned about the number of Americans who hold favorable views of this dangerous ideology. I will continue to defend our nation’s free enterprise system, which creates opportunities for others to live their American dream. I commend Congresswoman Salazar for leading this legislation and am proud to join her in supporting it,” said Lawmaker Lloyd Smucker.
“Ensuring that America’s youth – and our next generation of leaders – fully understand the importance of freedom and democracy in the United States is vital. We must educate our students about the horrors of communism and totalitarianism, 3and I am proud to join Congresswoman Salazar on this important legislation,” said Lawmaker Drew Ferguson.
Resolution H.R. 5349, the ‘Crucial Communism Teaching Act,’ also states that recently, we have seen a disturbing shift in the opinions of younger generations: 28 percent of ‘Generation Z’ have a favorable opinion of communism, compared to six percent of Boomers and three percent of the Silent Generation; 18 percent of ‘Generation Z’ think communism is fairer than capitalism; and 19 percent believe dictatorship is the best political system, compared to 3 percent of the ‘Silent Generation.’ We cannot continue to allow foreign idealists to indoctrinate the future leaders of our nation.
Resolution H.R. 5349, the ‘Crucial Communism Teaching Act,’ sponsored by Congresswoman María Salazar, directs the independent Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation to provide a civic education curriculum and educational materials for high school students, with school lessons on the dangers of communism and totalitarianism, teaching how these systems are against American ideals and founding principles.
“By passing the ‘Crucial Communism Teaching Act,’ the House of Representatives will ensure that future generations remember the pain and suffering caused by the brutal communist ideology,” said Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar. “My community in Miami understands the evils of communism very well, and we must ensure that all Americans are aware of the death and misery it has caused. Their stories and memories will now live on in the minds of our youth.”
Florida Designates a Day Dedicated to Lessons on Communism
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a bill designating a new state date known as “Victims of Communism Day,” on which public schools are required to teach students about communist regimes. Florida law states that, starting next year, “Victims of Communism Day” will be celebrated in public schools on November 7. On that day, high school students will receive lessons about the “atrocities” imposed by communist governments.
DeSantis said during a press conference that this day is intended to “honor the more than 100 million people who have fallen victim to communist regimes around the world.” – “We want to ensure that every year, people in Florida, but especially our students, learn about the evils of communism, the dictators who have led communist regimes, and the hundreds of millions of individuals who have suffered and continue to suffer under the weight of this discredited ideolo4gy,” he said.
In addition to creating “Victims of Communism Day,” DeSantis announced that he will allocate $25 million for the renovation and restoration of Miami’s historic Freedom Tower, which once housed the Cuban Assistance Center, helping Cubans fleeing communism in the 1960s, according to a statement from the governor’s office. It is worth noting that the state of Florida has a large Cuban-American population, most of whom moved there to escape Castro’s communist regime.
“Honoring the people who have fallen victim to communist regimes and teaching our students about those atrocities is the best way to ensure that history does not repeat itself,” said Florida Governor DeSantis. /Memorie.al
