[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 34 (Thursday, March 4, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E340-E341]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO PARTICIPANTS IN THE CONGRESSIONAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP COUNCIL 
                      AND THE CLOSE-UP FOUNDATION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. HAROLD E. FORD, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 4, 1999

  Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to several accomplished 
young men and women from Tennessee's Ninth Congressional District who 
are in Washington this week to participate in two prestigious youth 
conferences.
  Natalie Fant of Whitehaven High School, William Smith and LaToya Amos 
of Hillcrest High School are participating in the Congressional Youth 
Leadership Council. This national program brings together students from 
throughout the United States and foreign countries who have 
demonstrated exceptional leadership, academic and citizenship 
qualities. The theme of this year's conference is The Leaders of 
Tomorrow Meeting the Leaders of Today. They are meeting with some of 
our nation's most prominent public officials and are participating in 
uniquely designed group discussions on the most pressing issues of the 
day.
  The following students from St. Mary's Episcopal School are also in 
Washington participating in the Close Up Foundation's educational 
program: Sara Dike, Jennifer Hirsch, Kathleen Holladay, Lauren Jacks, 
Nishta Mehra, Mary Rochelle, Jay Tamboli and Mrs. Sheila Patrick. Like 
the Congressional Youth Leadership Council, the Close Up Foundation 
brings extraordinary young people to Washington in order to help them 
become even better citizens. The philosophy of the Close Up Foundation: 
``democracy is not a spectator sport--it requires the active 
participation of citizens,'' says it best.
  These programs are so crucial today because political participation 
among America's youth is dangerously low. According to a survey on 
youth attitudes by the National Association of Secretaries of State, 
since 18 year olds were first given the chance to exercise their right 
to vote in the 1972 elections, the voter turnout rate of 18 to 24 year 
olds has steadily declined. In 1972, 50% of 18 to 24 years olds 
exercised their right to vote. By the 1996 elections, only 32% of 18 to 
24 year olds turned out at the polls. Turnout among this age group in 
1998 is projected to have been

[[Page E341]]

below 20%, perhaps the lowest in our nation's history.
  Moreover, this is a generation divided about the country's future and 
wary of other people. Barely half (51%) of today's 15 to 24 year olds 
believe that America's best years are ahead of us, while fully 39% 
worry that our best years may already be behind us. Asked whether they 
generally believe that most people can be trusted (32%) or whether most 
people should be approached with caution (65%), young people take the 
more cautious posture by more than a two to one margin.
  Mr. Speaker, these young people deserve our recognition and support 
not only for their personal achievements, but also for their commitment 
to their fellow citizens and the nation. Please join me today in 
honoring them.

                          ____________________