[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 103 (Tuesday, July 28, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S9149]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            KIDS VOTING USA

 Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I would like to take this time to 
recognize an organization which began in 1988 with three Arizona 
businessmen on a fishing trip to Costa Rica. While there, they learned 
that regular voter turnout in that country was routinely 90 percent. 
They credit this to the Costa Rican tradition of having children 
accompany their parents to the polls. They observed first-hand the 
success this small country had achieved by instilling in children at an 
early age the importance of voting in a democracy.
  The three Arizona businessmen took this idea back to the United 
States with them and began ``Kids Voting USA''. Today, this nonprofit, 
nonpartisan, grassroots organization is active in 40 states plus the 
District of Columbia, and includes 5 million students, 200,000 
teachers, and 6,000 schools, and is growing fast.
  With voter turnout declining each year, this organization recognizes 
the need to educate our youth and instill in them respect for the right 
and the duty to vote. ``Kids Voting USA'' enables students to accompany 
their parent or guardian to local polling sites to cast a ballot 
similar to the official ballot. Although not a part of the official 
results, the students' vote are registered at schools and by the media.
  Mr. President, this year, Kids Voting Day is September 29th. I would 
like to recognize ``Kids Voting USA'' and commend them for all they 
have done to promote the future of democracy by educating and involving 
youth in the American election process.

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