[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 26 (Tuesday, March 4, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1926-S1927]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     SENATE RESOLUTION 60--RELATIVE TO THE WILLIAM RANDOLPH HEARST 
                    FOUNDATION SENATE YOUTH PROGRAM

  Ms. COLLINS (for herself, Mr. Wyden, and Mrs. Hutchison of Texas) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
on the Judiciary:

                               S. Res. 60

       Whereas the continued success of our Nation's 
     constitutional democracy is dependent upon our Nation's youth 
     striving toward higher goals;
       Whereas a student's intelligence, determination, 
     perseverance and continued interest in the workings of our 
     Nation's political processes must be nurtured and encouraged;
       Whereas the pursuit of higher education, and participation 
     and interest in the political processes, remain priorities of 
     young citizens around our Nation; and
       Whereas the United States Senate and the William Randolph 
     Hearst Foundation Senate Youth Program have provided high 
     school juniors and seniors who are leaders in education and 
     student government, as well as in their communities, with the 
     opportunity to travel to their Nation's capital and witness 
     the political process, supported solely by private funds with 
     no expense to the Federal Government since the program's 
     inception in 1962: Now, therefore, be it

[[Page S1927]]

       Resolved, That the Senate hereby congratulate, honor, and 
     pay tribute to the 3,600 exemplary students who have been 
     selected, on their merit, to participate in the William 
     Randolph Hearst Foundation Senate Youth Program between 1962 
     and 1997.

  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, along with Senator Hutchison and Senator 
Wyden, I am pleased to submit this resolution to commemorate the 35th 
anniversary of the William Randolph Hearst U.S. Senate Youth Program. 
As the first graduate of the program to become a U.S. Senator, I can 
honestly say that the week I spent in Washington in 1971, as one of two 
delegates from Maine, profoundly influenced my life and career.
  Even though my family has a long and proud tradition of public 
service-- my great grandfather, my grandfather and my father all served 
in the State legislature, and both of my parents served as mayor of 
Caribou, ME--it was a week I spent in Washington with the Senate Youth 
Program that caused me to seriously consider a career in the public 
sector.
  For the past 35 years, the Senate Youth Program has selected two of 
the brightest and most active students in each of the 50 States, the 
District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense schools abroad to 
spend a week learning about our Nation's government first-hand. Over 
the years, 3,600 such students have participated in the program and 
gone on to serve our Nation in various capacities, including public 
service.
  Monday morning, I had the pleasure of addressing this year's 
delegates and was impressed with their enthusiasm, knowledge, and the 
high caliber of the questions they posed. I was delighted to see how 
the program has maintained--perhaps even surpassed--the high standards 
for which it is so well known.
  The continued generosity of the William Randolph Hearst Foundation 
enables students to come to the District of Columbia and see a side of 
government that few Americans see in their lifetime. Each year the 
delegates meet with top members of the legislative, executive, and 
judicial branches.
  I remember how fascinated I was as a delegate to listen to Senators 
Byrd and Thurmond speak to us about the history of the Senate and the 
issues of the day.
  But the highlight of my week was the time I spent talking with my 
home State Senator, Margaret Chase Smith. I went to Senator Smith's 
office hoping to shake her hand; instead, she took me into her private 
office and spent 2 hours talking with me about the importance of public 
service and the difference one person can make. When I left her office, 
I remember feeling so proud that she was my Senator and that I could do 
anything I set my mind to.
  So, today it is my pleasure to sponsor this resolution paying tribute 
to the 3,600 delegates who have participated in the Senate Youth 
Program over the past 35 years, some of whom we may see here in the 
Congress, the Supreme Court, or even the White House in years to come. 
I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure.

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