[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 13 (Wednesday, February 13, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S745-S746]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  STATEMENTS ON SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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  SENATE RESOLUTION 208--COMMENDING STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE 
        UNITED STATES SENATE YOUTH PROGRAM BETWEEN 1962 AND 2002

  Ms. COLLINS (for herself, Mr. Breaux, Mr. Levin, Mr. Lugar, Mr. 
Domenici, and Mrs. Hutchison) submitted the following resolution; which 
was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 208

       Whereas the students who have participated in the United 
     States Senate Youth Program (referred to in this resolution 
     as the ``Senate Youth Program'') over the past 40 years were 
     chosen for their exceptional merit and interest in the 
     political process;
       Whereas the students demonstrated outstanding leadership 
     abilities and a strong commitment to community service and 
     have ranked academically in the top 1 percent of their 
     States;
       Whereas the Senate Youth Program alumni have continued to 
     achieve unparalleled success in their education and careers 
     and have demonstrated a strong commitment to public service 
     on the local, State, national, and global levels;
       Whereas the Senate Youth Program alumni have reflected 
     excellent qualities of citizenship and have contributed to 
     the Nation's constitutional democracy, be it in either 
     professional or volunteer capacities, and have made an 
     indelible impression on their communities;
       Whereas the chief State school officers, on behalf of the 
     State Departments of Education, have selected outstanding 
     participants for the Senate Youth Program;
       Whereas the Department of Defense, Department of State, and 
     other Federal Departments, as well as Congress, have offered 
     support and provided top level speakers who have inspired and 
     educated the students of the Senate Youth Program; and
       Whereas the directors of the William Randolph Hearst 
     Foundation have continually made the Senate Youth Program 
     available for outstanding young students and exposed them to 
     the varied aspects of public service: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate congratulates, honors, and pays 
     tribute to the more than 4,000 exemplary students who have 
     been selected, on their merit, to participate in the United 
     States Senate Youth Program between 1962 and 2002.

  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a resolution to 
commemorate the 40th anniversary of the

[[Page S746]]

William Randolph Hearst U.S. Senate Youth Program. I am pleased to be 
joined by Senator Breaux, who serves with me as a co-chair of the 40th 
anniversary program, as well as Senators Hutchison, Domenici, Lugar, 
and Levin, who all serve on the advisory committee. As the first 
graduate of the program to become a U.S. Senator, I can honestly say 
that the week I spent in Washington in 1971, as one of two delegates 
from Maine, profoundly influenced my life and career.
  Even though my family has a long and proud tradition of public 
service, my great grandfather, my grandfather and my father all served 
in the State legislature, and both of my parents served as mayor of 
Caribou, ME, it was the week I spent in Washington with the Senate 
Youth Program that caused me to seriously consider a career in the 
public sector.
  For the past 40 years, the Senate Youth Program has selected two of 
the brightest and most active students in each of the 50 States, the 
District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense schools abroad to 
spend a week learning about our Nation's government first-hand. Over 
the years, over 4,000 such students have participated in the program 
and gone on to serve our Nation in various capacities, having seen 
first-hand what it means to serve in what has been called the world's 
greatest deliberative body.
  The continued generosity of the William Randolph Hearst Foundation 
enables students to come to the District of Columbia and see a side of 
government that few Americans see in their lifetime. Each year the 
delegates meet with top members of the legislative, executive, and 
judicial branches.
  I remember how fascinated I was as a delegate to listen to Senators 
Byrd and Thurmond speak to us about the history of the Senate and the 
issues of the day.
  But the highlight of my week was the time I spent talking with my 
home State Senator, Margaret Chase Smith. I went to Senator Smith's 
office hoping to shake her hand; instead, she took me into her private 
office and spent 2 hours talking with me about the importance of public 
service and the difference one person can make. When I left her office, 
I remember feeling so proud that she was my Senator and that I could do 
anything I set my mind to.
  So, today it is my pleasure to sponsor this resolution paying tribute 
to the more than 4,000 delegates who have participated in the Senate 
Youth Program over the past 40 years, some of whom we may see here in 
the Congress, at the Supreme Court, or even in the White House in years 
to come. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure.

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