[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 38 (Wednesday, March 21, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S2658]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SILVER RIBBON CAMPAIGN

  Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and honor a 
campaign to raise disability awareness that originated in my State of 
Wyoming. I am very proud of the mission behind this effort that, in 3 
short years, has gained steam nationally and internationally.
  Known as the Silver Ribbon Campaign, this effort to honor disability 
awareness month, March, was begun by the Natrona County School District 
#1 Student Support Services and the Parent Resource Center. The 
campaign has generated significant activity among local officials and 
is responsible for a variety of training, educational and interactive 
activities related to raising disability awareness in the broader 
community. In addition to engaging local officials and the general 
public, the campaign has worked successfully with the business 
community and numerous media outlets to ensure a diverse yet unified 
front in heightening awareness about the reality of living with a 
disability.
  I am particularly proud of the campaign's special effort to include 
activities targeted towards raising awareness among children. Not only 
will the public library host a reading hour on disability awareness, 
with awareness bookmarks available for the public, but public school 
buses and other public transportation will display the campaign's 
trademark silver ribbon during the month of March.
  The campaign has issued the silver ribbon as a pin, and since its 
inception in 1998, more than 250,00 pins, along with thousands of 
balloons and displays, have been used to raise awareness around the 
State of Wyoming. As I mentioned before, similar activities are being 
duplicated nationwide.
  I am honored but not surprised to once again have the opportunity to 
highlight a community-based effort invented in Wyoming that other 
communities are modeling. I hope hearing me today will encourage my 
colleagues to introduce their own State to the Silver Ribbon Campaign 
and further raise disability awareness in this country. This is a 
critical effort that every community should embrace.

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