[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 124 (Friday, September 21, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9632-S9633]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 70--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE CONGRESS 
          IN SUPPORT OF THE ``NATIONAL WASH AMERICA CAMPAIGN''

  Mr. WARNER (for himself and Mr. Allen) submitted the following 
concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the 
Judiciary:

                            S. Con. Res. 70

       Whereas on September 11, 2001, the United States was victim 
     to the worst terrorist attack on American soil, as hi-jacked 
     aircraft were deliberately crashed into the World Trade 
     Center in New York, New York, and the Pentagon outside 
     Washington, D.C.;
       Whereas the tragic events of September 11, 2001, have 
     inflicted enormous emotional pain on Americans of all ages;
       Whereas young Americans, who are generally unable to donate 
     blood, help with rescue efforts, or make financial 
     contributions, are nevertheless sharing in the Nation's pain 
     and are especially in need of a way to make a difference and 
     help their country;
       Whereas four young sister, Ashley, Aubrey, Alyssa and Alana 
     Welsh, from Annandale, Virginia, whose father serves in the 
     military and narrowly avoided the Pentagon disaster, resolved 
     that they could make a difference by holding local car washes 
     to raise funds for the American Red Cross and to ``help wash 
     away the hurt'';
       Whereas within forty-eight hours the young girls had 
     involved hundreds of others and raised more than $10,000, all 
     in one Northern Virginia community;
       Whereas there are more than 100,000 schools across the 
     United States, whose teachers, students, and parents are 
     searching for ways to unite and help rebuild the Nation as 
     the Welch sisters have done in their home town;
       Whereas a National Wash America Campaign has been created 
     with its own Internet site, www.WashAmerica.org, to help 
     other communities launch similar efforts on the weekends of 
     September 22 and 23, September 29, and 30, and October 6 and 
     7, 2001; and
       Whereas the American Red Cross is designating an account to 
     receive all Wash America funds, giving the children of this 
     campaign the opportunity to participate in one of its largest 
     fund-raising drives ever: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That is is the sense of the Congress that----
       (1) salutes the young Americans who take part in Wash 
     America events in their communities to help raise funds for 
     the American Red Cross efforts in the wake of the terrorist 
     attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, and 
     thanks them for doing their part to ``Help Wash Away the 
     Hurt'' across the Nation.

  Mr. WARNER. Madam President, September 11, 2001 was indeed one of the 
most tragic days in America's history. While our lives will never be 
the same, I know that we will be better and stronger as a Nation.
  Regrettably, these loathsome, cowardly acts of terrorism have deeply 
wounded our country, but they have not, and will never dull, the spirit 
and resolve of the American people. My thoughts and prayers are with 
those who lost loved ones on that horrific day. My thanks and deep 
appreciation go out to the many thousands who stepped up in the face of 
danger to assist in the devastating aftermath, and who continued to 
work tirelessly at the Pentagon, the World Trade Center, and the 
Pennsylvania crash site.
  During this time of crisis it is important that we come together as a 
nation. Thus far, the American people have responded in many different 
ways: by donating blood, sending money, even participating in the 
rescue efforts underway in Virginia and New York.
  But, for one group of people, young Americans, it has been especially 
difficult for them to find a meaningful outlet for their tremendous 
need to be involved.
  That is why I am so proud today to rise in support of four Virginia 
youngsters, and to introduce a resolution on their behalf that will 
help share their remarkable and uplifting story with a country in need 
of such stories.
  The Welch sisters, Ashley, Aubrey, Alyssa and Alana, might not have 
their father, Lt. Col. Tracy Welch, here today had a meeting he was due 
to attend at the Pentagon in the morning of September 11, 2001, not 
been postponed.
  After the cowardly attacks on our country, the Welch sisters, like so 
many other Americans, went to donate blood. However, because they were 
underage, they were turned away.
  Some might have stopped there, but these girls, aged 10-16, were 
determined to make a difference. So, in two days, they organized four 
local car washes and mobilized approximately one hundred of their 
friends to help them wash cars by urging their friends to ``Help Wash 
the Hurt Away.'' At the end of these two days, the Welch Sisters and 
their friends raised $10,000 for the American Red Cross. They called 
their effort ``Wash America.''

[[Page S9633]]

  The Welch sisters are now taking their effort a step further, 
believing that what can be accomplished in two days in Annandale and 
Alexandria, Virginia, can happen in cities and towns and rural areas 
across this country. Accordingly, they decided to organize three 
consecutive ``National Wash America Weekends'' to reach out to millions 
of youth in more than 100,000 schools around America and to raise funds 
for the American Red Cross.
  Today, they have a Web site, www.washamerica.org. a logo, and 
companies pledging support. I am honored that they asked me for support 
in the United States Senate.
  The resolution I introduce today will support these young Americans' 
determination to create three, consecutive ``National Wash America 
weekends.'' This resolution will serve as a vehicle for my colleagues, 
by adding their names as cosponsors, to similarly support Wash America 
events within their states. And, most important, it salutes every young 
person in America who is doing his or her part to ``Wash Away the 
Hurt.''
  I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution.

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