[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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