[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
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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.
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