State Rep. Jones votes ‘yes’ on bill requiring public schools to include victims of communism in curriculum

A bill which was passed by the Arizona State Senate and Arizona State House of Representatives earlier this year that would create a day to honor victims of communism was vetoed by Governor Katie Hobbs. 

The bill, HB 2629, would establish “November 7 of each year as Victims of Communism Day and requires the State Board of Education (SBE) to create a list of recommended resources for mandatory instruction on the topic in certain public school courses” in accordance with other non-legal memorial holidays already established like 9/11 Education Day or Sandra Day O’Connor Civics Celebration Day. 

The proposed legislation, sponsored by Reps. Ben Toma (R) and Quang Nguyen (R), also requires public high schools in the state to include a minimum of 45 minutes of instructional time on the history of communist regimes from around the world. Lessons may include Mao Zedong and the Cultural Revolution, Joseph Stalin and the Soviet system,Fidel Castro and the Cuban Revolution, Vladimir Lenin and the Russian Revolution or other figures and communist movements. The requirement would start in the 2024-2025 school year. 

The bill passed with a 16-13 vote in the Senate and passed in the House with a 33-26 vote, but was vetoed by Gov. Katie Hobbs. 

How did your legislators voted on HB 2629?

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