[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 26 (Friday, February 12, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S1649]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Cleland, Mr. Grams, 
        Mr. Daschle, Mr. DeWine, Mr. Lautenberg, and Mr. Levin):
  S. 429. A bill to designate the legal public holiday of 
``Washington's Birthday'' as ``Presidents' Day'' in honor of George 
Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Franklin Roosevelt and in recognition 
of the importance of the institution of the Presidency and the 
contributions that Presidents have made to the development of our 
Nation and the principles of freedom and democracy; to the Committee on 
the Judiciary.


               THE REDESIGNATION OF WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I want to take this opportunity, along 
with my distinguished colleagues, Senators Kennedy, Cleland, Grams, 
Daschle, DeWine, Lautenberg, and Levin, to reintroduce legislation 
recognizing the importance of the institution of the Presidency. My 
legislation would redesignate ``Washington's Birthday'' as 
``Presidents' Day,'' honoring George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and 
Franklin Roosevelt. In taking this step, we would honor three of our 
nation's most important leaders, Presidents who led our nation through 
our greatest challenges and crises. In so doing, we would be 
celebrating the contributions that these and other great Presidents 
have made to the development of freedom and democracy in our great 
nation.
  Our democracy depends upon the participation of a well-informed 
electorate--citizens who take their civic responsibilities seriously. 
However, many Americans appear to have lost confidence in our political 
system. In the last presidential election, less than half of eligible 
voters--49 percent--voted. In the 1998 midterm elections, only 36 
percent of the voting populace cast their vote to determine the future 
of our nation. This was the lowest voter turnout since 1942, over 50 
years ago. The turnout rate among younger voters is even lower.
  Tests administered by the National Assessment of Educational Progress 
found that almost 60 percent of high school seniors lacked even a basic 
understanding of American history. These findings indicate that too 
many Americans feel a sense of alienation from the political process 
and do not believe that government and political involvement are 
relevant to their lives.
  In this time of cynicism about American politics, we must restore the 
faith and pride of our citizens in our government. Passage of this 
legislation will recognize three of our nation's greatest leaders and 
the enduring strength of the Office of the Presidency. It will remind 
all of us--but particularly young people who are our nation's future 
leaders--of the important contributions made by Presidents of the 
United States and the principles on which our nation was founded.

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