[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 55 (Thursday, May 1, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3872-S3873]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    VOLUNTEER PROTECTION ACT OF 1997

  The Senate continued with the consideration of the bill.
  Mr. COVERDELL. Mr. President, we are very hopeful, now that we have 
gotten to S. 543, an accord that deals with the views and concerns of 
both sides can be reached, but that is not the case as yet and I 
thought I would take just a moment on something I wanted to acknowledge 
during the course of the debate.
  I found it very interesting that one of the periodicals that came out 
following the summit in Philadelphia quoted President Clinton and 
President Bush. I want to share that with the Senate. President Clinton 
said:

       I am keenly aware of the need for strong, caring adults in 
     a child's life. My mother taught me to see opportunities 
     where others see only challenges. My grandfather took me with 
     him, visiting with neighbors and teaching me about people. My 
     grandmother read aloud to me every day so I would be able to 
     read before going to kindergarten. I want children in every 
     family and community to have the same chance I did.

  President Bush said:

       I said it as President and I'll say it again: Someplace in 
     this country every problem that plagues us is being solved 
     through volunteerism, whether it's drug addiction, street 
     crime or teenage pregnancy. Some community, through 
     volunteers, has solved the problem.

  Both of these Presidents have pointed, as most of the summit did, to 
the

[[Page S3873]]

shortfall that is occurring among and for many of the youth of our 
Nation, which is again why I think it is so important that S. 543 
garner passage here today, because it will free up so much energy to 
address this problem.
  The other point I want to reiterate is that when you read through the 
statements and the work of General Powell and the others at the summit, 
they are not only talking about voluntarism but they are talking about 
voluntarism that occurs in very troubled communities. They use the 
terms poisonous streets and difficult environments. They are talking 
about not the everyday idea of an American family. They are talking 
about people who are products of broken families and very serious 
difficulties. The issue that I have tried to underscore with regard to 
S. 543 is that because these areas are so troubled and so difficult, it 
more than accentuates the need for some protection, legal protection 
for our volunteers who are willing to go into this area, because they 
are going into an environment, they are going into a situation that is 
troubled, volatile, abnormal, prone to difficulties and accidents, and 
conditions that would elevate the threat of legal ramifications.
  So I think it is important that we are not talking out of the summit 
about some of the more traditional forms of voluntarism, many of which 
are not surrounded with risk, but this call for 2 million people to 
step forward in a difficult situation is all the more reason this 
Congress should take steps to make it easier for those volunteers to 
step forward.
  Mr. President, I see my distinguished colleague from Alaska has come 
to the floor, and I am glad to yield the floor so that he might make 
his remarks.
  I yield the floor.
  Mr. MURKOWSKI addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair recognizes the Senator from Alaska.
  Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I thank my friend from Georgia for his 
vigilance on this matter, trying to ensure that volunteers in this 
country are not subject to the extreme liabilities associated with 
their actions which, obviously, benefit all of society. I commend him 
for his commitment.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent I might make a statement as in 
morning business for about 6 or 7 minutes.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The Senator from Alaska is recognized.
  Mr. MURKOWSKI. I thank the Chair.

                          ____________________