[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 171 (Tuesday, December 11, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S12984]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   NATIONAL CIVIC PARTICIPATION WEEK

  On December 10, 2001, the Senate passed S. Res. 140, as follows:

                              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 any time 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.

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