Lesson 10 - Environmental Protection Agency

CITIZENSHIP IN THE NATION

Merit Badge Clinic

Green River District Chief Seattle Council

Resources • Merit Badge Counselor:

− Daniel Olson * 253.630.4414 * [email protected]

• Blue cards – have scoutmaster signature by 08.Mar.14 (session #2)

• Citizenship in the Nation – Merit Badge Pamphlet • Merit Badge Workbook – November 2013 Edition • Content contributions: Troop 404, Graham County, N.C.,

Nantahala District, Daniel Boone Council • Online resources as outlined throughout the presentation

Citizenship in the Nation Kent MB Clinic Session #1 2


Introduction • Workbooks • Merit Badge Outline • Requirements covered today:

Requirement 1 Requirement 4 Requirement 5 Requirement 7

Requirements 2, 3, 6, and 8 will need to be completed between sessions (by 08 March 2014).


Requirement 1

Explain what citizenship in the nation means and what it takes to be a good citizen of this country. Discuss the rights, duties, and obligations of a responsible and active American citizen.


Citizenship in the Nation Citizenship refers to a person's membership in a community such as a state or country.


Citizenship in the Nation • Do your part to make your community & nation better • Cooperate with other citizens & government officials • Get involved in community affairs • Stay informed, vote • Be a good neighbor • Obey laws and rules • Respect proper authority • Protect the environment & conserve natural resources


Citizenship in the Nation • Citizenship in the nation carries with it both rights

and responsibilities. • "Active citizenship" is the philosophy that citizens

should work towards the betterment of their nation through economic participation, public service, volunteer work, and other such efforts to improve life for all citizens.

• To this end, schools provide citizenship education.


The Basic Concepts of American Democracy

• Value and dignity of every individual. • Equality before the law. • Majority rule and minority rights. • The need for compromise. • Limitations to the federal government’s powers;

the states & people have more authority.



A democracy is a form of government in which the people have the power to govern themselves. The citizens exercise their power directly or indirectly through representatives chosen in free elections. The majority rules.



The Founding Fathers established a republic— with an elected president as head of state and freely elected representatives who are responsible to the citizens and govern according to law. The Democratic and Republican political parties borrow their names from these forms of government, and both parties support democracy and the republican form of representative government.


Citizenship Rights

• Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and to petition gov’t • Right to bear arms • Prohibit unreasonable search and seizure of people & property • Allowed “due process of law” • Allowed a fair trial • Allowed a trial by jury • People retain rights not specifically listed in the BoR • People maintain powers not delegated to gov’t by constitution

From the first 10 amendments to the Constitution:


Good Citizenship

• Obey the law, serve on juries & as witness – obligation (has penalty)

• Vote in elections – duty (moral responsibility)

• Attend community meetings to be informed - duty • Register w/Selective Service; defend the country - obligation • Pay local, state, and federal taxes - obligation • Assist fellow citizens and help protect their rights - duty • Are patriots - a person who vigorously supports their country and

is prepared to defend it against enemies or detractors - duty

Good citizens are grateful for their rights and they:


Good Citizenship

“And so, my fellow Americans; Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”

- From John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address, January 20, 1961


Requirement 2 a. Visit a place that is listed as a National Historic Landmark or that is on

the National Register of Historic Places. Tell your counselor what you learned about the landmark or site and what you found interesting about it.

b. Tour your state capitol building or the U.S. Capitol. Tell your counselor what you learned about the capitol, its function, and the history.

c. Tour a federal facility. Explain to your counselor what you saw there and what you learned about its function in the local community and how it serves this nation.

d. Choose a national monument that interests you. Using books, brochures, the Internet (with your parent's permission), and other resources, find out more about the monument. Tell your counselor what you learned, and explain why the monument is important to this country's citizens.

Do TWO of the following:


National Historic Landmarks A particular site, structure, or object of national importance… • Ford Worden, Jefferson County • Paradise Inn, Mount Ranier National Park • Mount Ranier National Park • Port Townsend, Jefferson County • The White House, Washington D. C. http://www.cr.nps.gov/nhl/designations/Lists/WA01.pdf


National Monument An area preserved for its historic, prehistoric, or scientific interest that includes at least one resource of national importance…

• Mount St. Helens, Washington • San Juan Islands, Washington • Hanford Reach, Washington • Craters of the Moon, Idaho • Hagerman Fossil Beds, Idaho http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_National_Monuments_of_the_United_States


Federal Facilities • Federal Courthouses (Seattle/Tacoma) • US Postal Service Centers (Kent, etc.) • NASA Facilities • Internal Revenue Service • The Pentagon & Library of Congress http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Buildings_of_the_United_States_government


Requirement 2

Complete requirement two and discuss the results with a merit badge counselor upon completion. Note: You may also visit our state capitol in Olympia, or the Federal capital in Washington, D. C.


Requirement 3 Watch the national evening news five days in a row OR read the front page of a major daily newspaper five days in a row (a major online news site would qualify). Discuss the national issues you learned about with your counselor. Choose one of the issues and explain how it affects you and your family.

News sources: ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox News, CNN, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, U. S. A. Today, Seattle Times, etc. Potential issues: Legalization of marijuana, unemployment, war on poverty, Benghazi attack, budget cut-backs, Al Qaeda surge in Iraq, etc.


Requirement 3

Complete requirement three and discuss the results with a merit badge counselor upon completion.


Requirement 4

a. Declaration of Independence b. Preamble to the Constitution c. The Constitution d. Bill of Rights e. Amendments to the Constitution

Discuss each of the following documents with your counselor. Tell your counselor how you feel life in the United States might be different without each one.


Declaration of Independence • Declared independence from Great Britain • The preamble explains why the declaration was

written. • States the rights of men as being created equal and

free, rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

• Lists 27 complaints against King George III. • Statement that asserts the 13 colonies are free and

independent.


Preamble to the Constitution The preamble is an introduction and explains the main purpose of the law. • States the six reasons for writing the Constitution.

− 1. form a more perfect union − 2. establish justice − 3. insure domestic tranquility − 4. provide for common defense − 5. promote the general welfare − 6. secure liberty

• “We the people…”


The Constitution Consists of a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. • Article 1 – Establishes the legislative branch. • Article 2 – Establishes the executive branch. • Article 3 – Establishes the judicial branch. • Article 4 – Relations between states, relations between states

and federal government. • Article 5 – Procedures for amending the constitution. • Article 6 – Supreme law of land. • Article 7 – Explains ratification.


Bill of Rights The first ten amendments are called the Bill of Rights.

1. Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly and petition.

2. Right of militia to bear arms. 3. Prohibits quartering soldiers. 4. Prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures. 5. Describes the rights of citizens in criminal cases.


Bill of Rights

6. Right to fair trial. 7. Right to trial by jury. 8. Prohibits courts from imposing excessive bails and

fines. 9. Rights not in Constitution are retained by people. 10. Powers not delegated to the federal government

are retained by the states.


Amendments to the Constitution • Amendments are the way the

Constitution is altered or changed to meet the needs of the nation and the laws of the land.

• It is an intentionally difficult process to add an amendment to the Constitution


Requirement 5 List the six functions of government as noted in the preamble to the Constitution. Discuss with your counselor how these functions affect your family and local community.


…to form a more perfect Union,

Strengthen the country by unifying the states; unite the country in an organized & fair manner.


…establish Justice,

Enact and apply laws that treat all citizens reasonably, fairly, and impartially.


…insure domestic Tranquility,

Maintain order to ensure peace on home soil;


…provide for the common defence,

Make sure that the country is prepared to defend itself from its enemies. The Department of Defense is responsible for maintaining capable U.S. military forces in the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. The armed forces protect the nation and defend our national interests around the world.


…promote the general Welfare,

Provide services and make efforts to improve the quality of life for all citizens.


…secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity,…

Preserve and protect the rights and liberties of Americans and to pass those freedoms on to future generations.


Requirement 6 With your counselor's approval, choose a speech of national historical importance. Find out about the author, and tell your counselor about the person who gave the speech. Explain the importance of the speech at the time it was given, and tell how it applies to American citizens today. Choose a sentence or two from the speech that has significant meaning to you, and tell your counselor why.


Historical Speeches • Patrick Henry – “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” • Abraham Lincoln – “Gettysburg Address” • Martin Luther King – “I have a Dream” • General Douglas McArthur – “Duty, Honor, Country” • George Washington – “Farewell Address” • Theodore Roosevelt – “Duties of American Citizenship” • Chief Joseph – “Surrender Speech” • John F. Kennedy – “Inauguration Address” • Dwight D. Eisenhower – “Farewell Address” • Ronald W. Reagan – “Explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger ” • Ronald W. Reagan – “Tear Down This Wall” These are approved – select your speech from this list.


Requirement 7 Name the three branches of our federal government and explain to your counselor their functions. Explain how citizens are involved in each branch. For each branch of government, explain the importance of the system of checks and balances.


Legislative Branch • Two houses of Congress – the Senate and the

House of Representatives. • 100 Senators & 433 Representatives (2 vacancies)

• Pass laws, raise money to run the government, regulate commerce, declare war, coin money, regulate bankruptcy, establish post offices, regulate weights and measures, grant copyrights and patents.


Executive Branch • The President is responsible for enforcing and

administering the laws. • Commander-in-Chief of armed forces. • Makes treaties, appoint ambassadors. • Delivers the State of the Union to Congress. • Appoint officials to help in his duties.


Judicial Branch • Interprets and applies the laws. • Supreme Court is the highest court in the land. • Federal District Courts are main criminal and civil courts in

federal system, there are 94 nationwide. • Courts of Appeal relieve the Supreme Court of some federal

cases. They review lower state and federal court cases. There are 13 Court of Appeal.

• Special Courts – International Trade, Military Appeals, Federal Claims, Tax Court, and Territorial Courts.


Legislative Checks • Check judicial branch by setting jurisdiction of

federal courts, by creating or abolish lower federal courts, and by impeaching judges.

• Check executive by passing legislation over a veto, investigating executive agencies & programs, power to impeach president, ratify treaties, approve executive appointments.


Executive Checks • Check judicial branch by appointing judges

and granting pardons. • Check the legislative branch by suggesting

legislation, appointing officials, making treaties, operating federal departments, administering programs, and setting budgets. Power of legislative veto.


Judicial Checks • Check legislative branch by ruling on

constitutionality of congressional actions. • Check the executive branch by ruling on

constitutionality of executive actions and presiding over presidential impeachments.


Requirement 8 Name your two senators and the member of Congress from your congressional district. Write a letter about a national issue and send it to one of these elected officials, sharing your view with him or her. Show your letter and any response you receive to your counselor.


Congress of the United States of America

United States Senators for the State of Washington: Senator Patty Murray (D) and Senator Maria Cantwell (D)

United States Representative for the State of Washington 8th Congressional District is Representative Dave Reichert (R) and 9th Congressional District is Adam Smith (D).

Contact Information Senator Patty Murray http://www.murray.senate.gov/public/ http://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contactme 154 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510

Senator Maria Cantwell http://www.cantwell.senate.gov/public/ http://www.cantwell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/email-maria 311 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510

Representative Dave Reichert http://reichert.house.gov/ Representative Adam Smith http://adamsmith.house.gov/



Requirement 8

Complete requirement eight and discuss the results with your local merit badge counselor.

CITIZENSHIP IN THE NATION

Merit Badge Clinic

Green River District Chief Seattle Council

The End of

Lesson 10 - Environmental Protection Agency

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Transcript of Lesson 10 - Environmental Protection Agency