Martinez presents bill to designate Nov. 7 as Victims of Communism Day and require 45 minutes of instruction
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Summary
Representative Martinez introduced House Bill 1082 to designate November 7 as Victims of Communism Day in Georgia and require 45 minutes of instruction in certain high-school civics courses; two witnesses who experienced life under communist regimes supported the bill but cautioned that instruction needs curriculum guidance to be effective.
Representative Martinez introduced House Bill 1082 to the Special Rules Committee to designate November 7 as Victims of Communism Day. The bill would authorize the governor to issue an annual proclamation and would require that, beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, students in grades 9–12 enrolled in a civics and government course receive at least 45 minutes of instruction on the victims of communism.
"Basically, it's to designate November 7 of each year as Victims of Communism Day," Representative Martinez said, adding that the measure calls for instruction in public elementary and secondary schools on the founding philosophy and principles of the United States and for a dedicated 45-minute lesson in qualifying courses.
Two witnesses with firsthand experience under communist regimes spoke in support. Mikhail Nudelman of Loganville, born and raised in Soviet Ukraine, said he supported the bill but warned that 45 minutes "with no curriculum guidance, no instructional framework, and no teacher preparation risks becoming a symbolic gesture rather than a meaningful education." He said he had submitted a structured lesson plan and volunteered to serve as a resource to ensure the instruction is substantive.
"I support House Bill 10 82," Nudelman said, and added that to honor the victims properly, the instruction must go beyond a brief video clip or symbolic treatment.
Jose Perez, an American born in Cuba, said the bill is "about memory" and would align Georgia with a bipartisan national effort and the National Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation in Washington, D.C. He listed other states that formally recognize November 7 and framed the bill as moral and historical rather than political.
The hearing was recorded as "hearing only" and the committee did not take a vote on HB 1082 during this session. Witnesses submitted materials for the record and offered to assist with developing curriculum to make the instruction effective.