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Rep. John Martin presents resolution to create a Missouri Seal of Civic Recognition for students
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Summary
House Concurrent Resolution 31 would establish a tiered Seal of Civic Recognition for students in grades 6–12 administered through DESE and the civics and patriotic work group; proponents argued it would incentivize civic engagement while some members urged simplified rollout and fiscal safeguards.
State Representative John Martin (District 44) presented House Concurrent Resolution 31 to create a Missouri Seal of Civic Recognition to honor students’ civic engagement. The resolution would allow nominations from schools, civic organizations, veteran groups and businesses and would be administered through the existing civics and patriotic work group and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
Martin described a tiered recognition (gold, silver, bronze) tied to documented academic instruction and civic participation across multiple school years. "There would be nominations from school groups, from the schools, from civic organizations that would nominate students that are deserving," he told the committee. The seal could be shown via a certificate or separate recognition accompanying graduation.
Committee members asked procedural and operational questions: why a concurrent resolution rather than a bill (Martin said a resolution can carry force similar to legislation in this context), whether DESE and the existing civics and patriotic work group would oversee nominations (they would), and how schools without mentoring programs could provide equivalent civic experiences. Martin said the work group would set qualifying criteria and that local civic organizations or school efforts could provide the required activities.
DESE’s initial fiscal guidance, as summarized by the sponsor, indicated an estimated 0.25 FTE to administer the program and a higher cost scenario of approximately $367,000 over three years to adapt data collection systems for tracking nominations and awards. Committee members suggested piloting at the graduation level before expanding to younger grades.
Public testimony included support from veterans, educators and civic groups, including Brian Keller of the Missouri Civic Learning Coalition, who urged a streamlined, transcript‑level recognition for high school students and recommended restoring prior civics funding to support implementation.
The committee concluded testimony on HCR 31 and adjourned; further committee action was not recorded in the hearing transcript.
