About the Lens of Liberty Citizenship Initiative

Lens of Liberty is a series of projects and programs developed to educate Americans on what it means to be a United States citizen, and on the responsibilities that come with citizenship. A citizenry that sees and understands issues from the perspective of freedom’s principles can influence outcomes at virtually every level of our lives. Moreover, all citizens who enjoy the privileges of a free society must play a part in keeping the nation’s ideals of freedom on course. As someone who is passionate about keeping America free from tyranny, your partnership with Lens of Liberty will embrace a unique opportunity to grow a more responsible citizenry- citizens who will take smart, effective action when freedom is threatened.

---

Educating voters, the General Public, and Key Opinion Leaders in Communities and Neighborhoods

All Americans, and especially voters, should understand the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and Bill of Rights, and the essential timeless principles in our founding documents.

• Lens of Liberty founder Helen Krieble narrates a series of radio minutes, aired on 800 radio stations and heard by more than eight million people, reminding Americans to look at all issues through the “lens of liberty” and protect their freedom.
• Our annual “Unsung Hero Award” recognizes everyday people who fight for freedom in their communities- a $25,000 award highlights the work of volunteers in defending liberty against government over-reach.
• A new video documentary will help promote a broad general-public understanding of citizenship- a free download from websites, and for use at community and neighborhood meetings across the country.
• This interactive Lens of Liberty website offers our own videos, documents, tools, and other information, as well as links to other organizations working on citizenship and founding principles issues.
• Frequent use of social media, as well as traditional writing of op-ed pieces, press releases and other earned media will draw attention to the duties of citizens.

Educating Immigrants

All students graduating from America’s public schools, as new voters, should understand the nation’s history, civics, and founding principles at least as well as new immigrants do.

• We developed a new “American Citizenship Owner’s Manual” providing an easy-to-understand format for explaining the American ideal, and our unique system based on self-government and personal responsibility.
• We are researching various methods to get the manual and other materials into the hands of new naturalized citizens.
• We have completed modern language translations of America’s founding documents, making the concepts more accessible to students.
• We are seeking partnerships with other groups with ties to immigrant communities that may help with distribution of such materials.

Educating American Public School Graduates

All students graduating from America’s public schools, as new voters, should understand the nation’s history, civics, and founding principles at least as well as new immigrants do.

• A new law requiring graduates to pass the American citizenship test has been adopted by several States, and provides great opportunity to educate a new generation on the vital principles of American citizenship.
• We are working to get copies of our “American Citizenship Owner’s Manual” and other materials to all graduating high school seniors.
• We are exploring a project to edit school textbooks to more thoroughly cover the important principles of America’s founding—limited government, individual freedom and responsibility, rule of law.
• We have completed modern language translations of America’s founding documents, making the concepts more accessible to students.
• We are proposing alternative citizenship and civics projects for students to use in fulfilling community service requirements, and for clubs and organizations.

Educating Association Leaders and Members,
Colleges, and Think Tanks

Conservative groups and their leaders should make it a priority that all their work begins from the perspective of founding principles, and push programs that further educate their constituencies on those ideals.

• The Vernon K. Krieble Foundation and its Lens of Liberty project are currently of reworking all our own materials and websites to model that strategy.
• Our presence at CPAC, SPN, Resource Bank, FreedomFest, and numerous other conferences, will feature booths and materials highlighting these initiatives.
• We offer speakers and interviews, and will make available our own founder, Helen Krieble, and other experts to discuss founding principles, and the importance of at all levels of government.
• We seek opportunities for presentations on these issues and activities, at association conferences, college campuses, or other forums.

Educating Legislators, Governors, and Other State Officials

State and local governments should push back against federal over-reach and assert their own sovereignty over a wide range of policies.

• Our presence at ALEC, NCSL, NGA and other state-level conferences and meetings will include speaking and interview opportunities, as well as booths for materials outlining ways States can be more effective against federal over-reach.
• We will be meeting individually with governors, legislative leaders and others in key state capitols to discuss State approaches.
• We will develop separate materials specifically showing how various States are working to defend their sovereignty on issues from health care to endangered species.