[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 64 (Friday, May 17, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S4544]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  DESIGNATING A DAY FOR AMERICANS TO RECOGNIZE IMPORTANCE OF TEACHING 
                             CURRENT EVENTS

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now 
proceed to Calendar No. 376, S. Res. 268.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The senior assistant bill clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 268) designating May 20, 2002, as a 
     day for Americans to recognize the importance of teaching 
     children about current events in an accessible way to their 
     development as both students and citizens.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
and preamble be agreed to en bloc; that the motion to reconsider be 
laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate; and that any 
statements relating to the resolution be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 268) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 268

       Whereas, since its founding in 1902, the Weekly Reader has 
     reported current events in a manner that is accessible to 
     children, thereby helping millions of children learn to read, 
     which is an indispensable foundation for success in school 
     and in life;
       Whereas the Weekly Reader's accessible style has helped 
     children understand many of the important events that have 
     shaped the world during the past 100 years, including World 
     War I, the Great Depression, World War II, the Civil Rights 
     movement, Vietnam, the first Moon landing, the collapse of 
     the Soviet Union, and the tragic events of September 11, 
     2001;
       Whereas a citizenry well informed about national and 
     international current events is critical to a strong 
     democracy;
       Whereas the Weekly Reader is read by nearly 11,000,000 
     children each week in every State, and in more than 90 
     percent of the school districts in the United States; and
       Whereas on May 20, 2002, children around the country will 
     join the Weekly Reader in celebrating its 100th birthday: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates May 20, 2002, as a day for Americans to 
     recognize the importance of teaching children about current 
     events in an accessible way to their development as both 
     students and citizens; and
       (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
     calling upon the people of the United States to observe that 
     day with appropriate activities.

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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