MY LETTER SENT: October 31, 2011 Dear Representative Meeks: Dear Senator Schumer: Dear Senator Gillibrand: I am writing to ask for your support of the Teaching Geography Is Fundamental Act ("TGIF," S. 434 and H.R. 885). If you are not already a cosponsor of this important legislation, I ask that you please become one by contacting Congressman Chris Van Hollen's office (sarah.schenning@mail.house.gov or (202) 225-5341) or Senator Thad Cochran's office (will_todd@cochran.senate.gov or (202) 224-5054). TGIF would be an important first step in correcting the oversight that has left geography as the only one of the nine "core academic subjects" as recognized by federal education legislation not to have received a dedicated source of federal funding. Geography education is fundamental to building an informed citizenry that is able to understand and address issues such as global conflict, economic competitiveness, and the protection of natural and cultura...