Civics Bee remaining stuff

 Groups, Organizations, and Agencies

• What to Know: What is the group? What does it do? Why is it important (or why was it created)?
  
  

  • American Federation of Labor (AFL-CIO): A union of unions. Represents many workers. Fights for better wages and working conditions.

  • Americans for Democratic Action: A liberal political group. Supports Democratic candidates and policies.

  • Cabinet: The President's advisors. Each heads a department (e.g., Secretary of State).

  • Centers for Disease Control (CDC): Protects public health. Tracks and prevents diseases.

  • Christian Coalition: A conservative political group. Promotes Christian values in politics.

  • Committee of Five: (Missing Information - Research This!)

  • Congressional Black Caucus: African American members of Congress. Focuses on issues important to the Black community.

  • Congressional Budget Office (CBO): Provides budget information to Congress. Helps Congress make informed decisions about spending.

  • Congressional Select Committee: A temporary committee in Congress. Created to investigate a specific issue.

  • Consumer Product Safety Commission: Protects the public from unsafe products. Sets safety standards.

  • Commission on Environmental Defense Fund: (Missing Information - Research This!)

  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Protects the environment. Enforces environmental laws.

  • Federal Aviation Administration (FAA): Regulates air travel. Sets safety standards for airlines and pilots.

  • Federal Communications Commission (FCC): Regulates TV, radio, and phone companies.

  • Federal Election Commission (FEC): Enforces campaign finance laws.

  • Federal Housing Administration (FHA): Helps people get mortgages. Insures mortgages.

  • Federal Reserve ("The Fed"): The central bank of the U.S. Controls the money supply.

  • First and Second Continental Congresses: Meetings of the colonies before the U.S. was formed.

  • Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Regulates food and drugs. Makes sure they are safe and effective.

  • Framers: The people who wrote the Constitution.

  • Intergovernmental Organizations: Organizations made up of different countries' governments.

  • League of Nations: An organization of countries after World War I to promote peace. (It failed and was replaced by the UN).

  • Little Rock Nine: The first black students to integrate Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas.

  • Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD): Works to prevent drunk driving.

  • National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP): Fights for civil rights for African Americans.

  • National Labor Relations Board (NLRB): Protects workers' rights to form unions.

  • National League of Cities: Represents cities and towns in the U.S.

  • National Rifle Association (NRA): Advocates for gun rights.

  • Native American Nations: Self-governing tribes of Native Americans.

  • Non-governmental Organization (NGO): A group that is not part of a government (e.g., Red Cross).

  • North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA): A trade agreement between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. (Now replaced by USMCA).

  • North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO): A military alliance between the U.S. and other countries in Europe.

  • Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Helps the President create the federal budget.

  • Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC): A group of countries that export oil.

  • Political Action Committee (PAC): A group that raises money to support political candidates.

  • Super PAC: A type of PAC that can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money.

  • Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA): Provides electricity and other services in the Tennessee Valley.

  • Thirteen Colonies: The original colonies that became the United States.

  • Tuskegee Airmen: African American pilots who fought in World War II.

  • United Nations (UN): An organization of countries that tries to solve global problems.

  • US Armed Forces: The military of the United States.

  • US Chamber of Commerce: Represents businesses in the U.S.

  • US Secret Service: Protects the President and other important people.

II. American Symbols and Holidays

• What to Know: What is the symbol or holiday? What does it represent? Why is it important?
  
  

  • US Flag: Represents the United States, its history, and its ideals.

  • The Star-Spangled Banner: The national anthem of the U.S.

  • Pledge of Allegiance: A promise of loyalty to the U.S.

  • Statue of Liberty: Represents freedom and democracy.

  • Liberty Bell: A symbol of American independence.

  • Bald Eagle: The national bird of the U.S. Represents strength and freedom.

  • Mayflower: The ship that brought the Pilgrims to America.

  • National Parks: Areas of natural beauty protected by the government.

  • White House: Where the President lives and works.

  • US Capitol: Where Congress meets.

  • National Archives: Where important government documents are kept.

  • Washington, DC: The capital of the United States.

  • Columbus Day: A holiday celebrating Christopher Columbus. (Controversial because of his treatment of Native Americans).

  • Constitution Day: A holiday celebrating the signing of the Constitution.

  • Independence Day: Celebrates the day the Declaration of Independence was signed (July 4th).

  • Juneteenth National Independence Day: Celebrates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans.

  • Martin Luther King's Birthday: Celebrates the life and work of the civil rights leader.

  • Memorial Day: Honors those who died while serving in the military.

  • Labor Day: Celebrates workers.

  • Veterans' Day: Honors all who have served in the military.

  • Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day): Celebrates George Washington and other presidents.

III. Citizenship

• What to Know: What are the requirements to become a citizen? What are the rights and responsibilities of citizens?
  
  

  • Requirements:

    • Age (usually 18)

    • Residency (live in the U.S. for a certain period of time)

    • Knowledge of English

    • Knowledge of U.S. civics

    • Good moral character

  • Path to Naturalization:

    • Apply for citizenship.

    • Pass an English and civics test.

    • Take an oath of allegiance.

  • Rights:

    • Vote

    • Freedom of speech

    • Freedom of religion

    • Right to a fair trial

  • Responsibilities:

    • Obey laws

    • Pay taxes

    • Serve on juries

    • Vote

IV. Immigration

• What to Know: What are the different types of immigration policies? What are the sources of immigration? What are visas and quotas?
  
  

  • Policy:

    • The U.S. has laws that determine who can immigrate.

    • These laws have changed over time.

  • Naturalization:

    • The process of becoming a citizen after immigrating.

  • Sources of Immigration:

    • People immigrate to the U.S. from all over the world.

    • Historically, the main sources of immigration have changed.

  • Visas:

    • Documents that allow people to enter the U.S. temporarily.

    • Different types of visas for different purposes (e.g., tourism, work, study).

  • Historical Policies:

    • The U.S. has had different immigration policies throughout its history.

    • Some policies have been more restrictive than others.

  • Quotas:

    • Limits on the number of people who can immigrate from certain countries.

V. Interest Groups

• What to Know: What are interest groups? What role do they play in the legislative process? What are the different types of interest groups?
  
  

  • Role in the Legislative Process:

    • Lobbying: Trying to influence lawmakers.

    • Campaign contributions: Giving money to political candidates.

    • Public awareness campaigns: Trying to influence public opinion.

  • Types:

    • Civil Rights: Groups that work for equal rights.

    • Economic: Groups that represent businesses or workers.

    • Government: Groups that represent state or local governments.

    • Ideological: Groups that promote a particular set of beliefs.

    • Public: Groups that work for the benefit of the general public.

    • Single-Issue: Groups that focus on one specific issue.

    • Religious: Groups that promote religious values.