[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 107 (Friday, July 27, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8366-S8367]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  STATEMENTS ON SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

                                 ______
                                 

  SENATE RESOLUTION 140--DESIGNATING THE WEEK BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 15, 
            2002, AS ``NATIONAL CIVIC PARTICIPATION WEEK''.

  Mr. ROBERTS (for himself, and Mrs. Feinstein) submitted the following 
resolution: which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

                              S. Res. 140

       Whereas the United States embarks on this new millennium as 
     the world's model of democratic ideals, economic enterprise, 
     and technological innovation and discovery;
       Whereas our Nation's preeminence is a tribute to our great 
     2-century-old experiment in representative government that 
     nurtures those ideals, fosters economic vitality, and 
     encourages innovation and discovery;
       Whereas representative government is dependent on the 
     exercise of the privileges and responsibilities of its 
     citizens, and that has been in decline in recent years in 
     both civic and political participation;
       Whereas Alexis de Tocqueville, the 19th century French 
     chronicler of our Nation's political behavior, observed that 
     the people of the United States had successfully resisted 
     democratic apathy and mild despotism by using what he called 
     ``schools of freedom''--local institutions and associations 
     where citizens learn to listen and trust each other;
       Whereas civic and political participation remains the 
     school in which citizens engage in the free, diverse, and 
     positive political dialogue that guides our Nation toward 
     common interests, consensus, and good governance;
       Whereas it is in the public interest for our Nation's 
     leaders to foster civic discourse, education, and 
     participation in Federal, State, and local affairs;
       Whereas the advent of revolutionary Internet technology 
     offers new mechanisms for empowering our citizens and 
     fostering greater civic engagement than at anytime in our 
     peacetime history; and
       Whereas the use of new technologies can bring people 
     together in civic forums, educate citizens on their roles and 
     responsibilities, and promote citizen participation in the 
     political process through volunteerism, voting, and the 
     elevation of voices in public discourse: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved,

     SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF NATIONAL CIVIC PARTICIPATION WEEK.

       The Senate--
       (1) designates the week beginning September 15, 2002, as 
     ``National Civic Participation Week'';
       (2) proclaims National Civic Participation Week as a week 
     of inauguration of programs and activities that will lead to 
     greater participation in elections and the political process; 
     and
       (3) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
     calling upon interested organizations and the people of the 
     United States to promote programs and activities that take 
     full advantage of the technological resources available in 
     fostering civic participation through the dissemination of 
     information.

  Mr. ROBERTS. Madam President, we stand in the midst of an amazing 
period of history. Not since the industrial revolution has society 
witnessed such an explosion of technological advancements. The rise of 
the Internet yields volumes of information to anyone at anytime and is 
only a mouse click away. It is imperative that we use this medium 
responsibly.
  The strength of our country is deeply rooted in informed citizens 
freely exchanging ideas. Common men and women engaged in the political 
process is the lifeblood of the United States. As legislators, we are 
the stewards of democracy. It is our duty to encourage citizens of all 
persuasions to actively play a role in this democratic saga.
  With the emergence of the Internet, there is no better way to make 
this possible than by supporting this resolution. I, along with my 
distinguished colleague, Dianne Feinstein of California, am submitting 
a resolution entitled, ``The National Civic Participation Week.'' It 
declares the week of September 15, 2002 as a time devoted to the 
education of the political process on the Internet. This resolution 
challenges the technical industry to create Web sites that promote 
civic involvement. Further, it calls on local communities to establish 
links that provide helpful information to its citizens such as polling 
locations, registration, and, voter information.
  We submit this resolution today in response to the declining 
participation in the American political system, particularly among 
younger citizens. I offer some sobering statistics: In the last 
presidential election, of the 25.5 million Americans between the ages 
of 18-24, only 19 percent registered to vote and only 16 percent 
actually voted. In the 1996 presidential election, of the 24 million 
Americans that age, only 47 percent registered, and 32 percent voted. 
22 percent of U.S. teens did not know from whom the United States won 
its independence. 14 percent thought it was France. 10 percent didn't 
know there were thirteen original colonies. About 23 percent didn't 
know who fought in the civil war.
  Our country has come along way from the early days of the thirteen 
colonies. Those were times, as Alexis de Tocqueville wrote in his 
``Democracy in America,'' of citizens creating ``freedom schools'' to 
teach and learn of freedom and democracy and the role that each of us 
can play to help it flourish.
  We believe that the Internet and other new technologies can play a 
crucial role in acting as ``freedom schools.'' With so many young 
people drawn to the Internet, it is an ideal medium to cultivate 
democratic virtues and encourage participation. The possibilities are 
numerous. The World Wide Web has the potential to assist citizens on 
finding information with how the government works, how laws are made, 
and how citizens can effectively communicate with their elected 
officials.
  This resolution offers no Federal mandates or governmental 
expenditures. It does not prescribe what information should be posted 
on the web or how it is disseminated. Instead, we as Senators are 
making a collective statement that we recognize the power of the 
Internet and its vast potential at promoting civic virtues. It is a 
resolution that encourages those within the technology industry to 
provide valuable information on the inner-workings of democracy.
  Let us use the Internet's vast information highway to cultivate 
learning and greater awareness in civic affairs. It is our sincere hope 
that we can rekindle the spirit of the ``freedom school'' of the 
American Revolution through the Internet. May these new technologies 
illuminate and continue the lessons and dreams of our forefathers.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, today Senator Roberts and I are 
submitting a resolution on civic participation. The resolution has 
three provision: 1. It proclaims the week beginning September 15, 2002 
as National Civic Participation Week; 2. It proclaims National Civic 
Participation Week as a week of programs and activities that encourage 
greater participation in elections and the political process; and 3. It 
requests the President to issue a proclamation calling on organizations 
and the people of the country to promote the use of technology in 
fostering civic participation through the dissemination of information.
  The thrust of this resolution is to encourage activities among 
Americans, especially young people, to use technology to become more 
involved in the country's civic life.
  As our Nation's leaders, it is our job to show Americans, especially 
young people, the importance of being involved in local, State, and 
national affairs.
  Civic participation is the arena in which citizens can express their 
views and engage in dialogue and actions that, influence public policy 
and guide public officials to carry out the citizen's views and 
recommendations.
  With advances in Internet technology and other computerized forms of 
communication, today we can offer citizens new and innovative ways of 
learning about and interacting with their local, State and Federal 
Government in an easily accessible way.
  With only 65.9 percent of all Americans registered to vote in the 
1996 Presidential election, according to the Federal Election 
Commission, the Civic Participation Week resolution will try to make 
more people aware of their right and responsibility to take an active 
role in government.

[[Page S8367]]

  There is no question that we need more Americans involved in their 
government. In fact, our democracy depends on it. In the most recent 
Presidential election last year in the United States, only 50.7 percent 
of the registered voters actually voted, according to the November 9, 
2000 Washington Post. This compares to 49 percent in the 1996 and 50.1 
percent in the 1988 Federal elections.
  Among young people, the voter turnout in this country is considerably 
lower. In the 18-21 age group, only 43.6 percent are registered to 
vote, and a dismal 18.5 percent actually voted in 1998, according to 
Federal Election Commission data.
  In many other countries, the voter turnout is considerably higher 
than in the United States. According to the Federal Election 
Commission, in Kazakhstan's 1999 Presidential election, there was a 
87.05 percent voter turnout. In Iceland, there was a 85.9 percent voter 
turnout in the 1996 Presidential election. The 1995 Presidential 
election in Argentina had a 80.9 percent turnout of registered voters.
  Internet technology may be an especially effective way to reach young 
Americans because information is highly accessible. Available at the 
click of a mouse, and young people seem to prefer computers as an 
information-gathering tool over more traditional methods.
  This use of new technology can help bring people together and can 
promote citizen participation in the political process through more 
volunteerism, easier access to information, and heightened activism in 
our Nation's civic life.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

                          ____________________