At their recent meeting in the Virginia State Capitol, members of the Virginia Commission on Civics Education elected Del. Richard L. Anderson (R-Prince William) to chair the group as it works to enhance the quality of civics education as an important part of public education in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The General Assembly created the Commission in 2005 and Anderson has been a member since 2010.
Anderson succeeds State Senator J. Chapman “Chap” Petersen, who represents the 34th Senatorial District (Fairfax City and part of Fairfax County).
Anderson represents the 51st House District, which under redistricting now stretches across Prince William County, from Occoquan westward to Brentsville and Nokesville. In addition to chairing the Civics Commission, Anderson is also a Deputy House Whip and chairs the General Assembly Military and Veterans Caucus. He sits on the House Finance Committee, House General Laws Committee, and House Science and Technology Committee.
The Commission operates as an advisory body in the executive branch of state government and consists of 19 members. Membership is composed of six elected officials and 13 representatives from higher education, public schools, the Virginia Department of Education, private individuals, and the press.
As chair of the Civics Commission, Anderson will oversee statewide initiatives that educate students on the importance of citizen involvement in a representative democracy, promote among citizens the study of state and local government, and increase collaboration among organizations that conduct civic education programs in Virginia.
Additionally, the Commission conducts two signature events each year at the Virginia State Capitol. One is the Spring Virginia Civics Leadership Conference in May of each year, at which selected eighth grade students from across the Commonwealth gather in Richmond to focus on civics issues and to see state government first-hand. The other is the Fall Virginia Civics Summit in November of each year, at which prominent educators and other leaders in civics education circles gather to discuss issues that impact civics education in the Commonwealth.
In taking the gavel as Commission chair, Del. Anderson stated that “I and the Commission look forward to working with the Virginia Department of Education and the State Board of Education on how the Commonwealth can best educate Virginia students on civics and government across the state. It’s important that we stimulate their interest in public matters and motivate them to participate in the public policy making process. That’s crucial in a Constitutional Republic.”
Del. Richard L. Anderson retired from the U.S. Air Force as a full colonel in 2009 after a 30-year military career. Later that same year, he was elected to represent the 51st House District in the Virginia General Assembly.
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