[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 49 (Thursday, April 8, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S4071]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE DAY

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 338, which was 
submitted earlier today by Senator Murkowski.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 338) calling on the President to 
     designate April 16, 2004, as National Youth Service Day, and 
     for other purposes.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, earlier today I submitted a Senate 
resolution that requests the President of the United States to 
designate April 16, 2004, as ``National Youth Service Day.'' I am proud 
to be submitting this Senate resolution for the second year. National 
Youth Service Day is the largest service event in the world with over 3 
million participants. National Youth Service Day acknowledges the 
remarkable community service efforts of youth today, and encourages all 
people to recognize and support the significance of these 
contributions.
  National Youth Service Day is a public awareness and education 
campaign that highlights the positive contributions that young people 
make to their communities throughout the year. On this day, youth from 
across the United States and the world will carry out community service 
projects in areas ranging from hunger to literacy to the environment. 
National Youth Service Day brings a diverse group of local, regional, 
and national partners together to support and promote youth service.
  It is imperative to keep young people active and motivated and 
instilled with a sense of community responsibility. Volunteer work 
gives youth an outlet to gain this responsibility and to learn valuable 
skills that are essential to personal and academic achievement.
  I thank my colleagues, Senators Akaka, Alexander, Allen, Bayh, 
Bunning, Campbell, Clinton, Cochran, Coleman, Collins, Conrad, DeWine, 
Dodd, Domenici, Durbin, Kerry, Landrieu, Mikulski, Murray, Schumer, 
Snowe, Stabenow, and Stevens for cosponsoring this worthwhile 
legislation, which will ensure that youth across the country and the 
world know that all of their hard work is greatly appreciated.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be 
laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to this matter be 
printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 338) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 338

       Whereas National Youth Service Day is an annual public 
     awareness and education campaign that highlights the amazing 
     contributions that young people make to their communities 
     throughout the year;
       Whereas the goals of National Youth Service Day are to 
     mobilize youths as leaders to identify and address the needs 
     of their communities through service and service-learning, to 
     support youth on a lifelong path of service and civic 
     engagement, and to educate the public, the media, and 
     policymakers about the year-round contributions of young 
     people as community leaders;
       Whereas young people in the United States are volunteering 
     more than has any generation in American history;
       Whereas the ongoing contributions young people make to 
     their communities throughout the year should be recognized 
     and encouraged;
       Whereas young people should be viewed as the hope not only 
     of tomorrow, but of today, and should be valued for the 
     inherent idealism, energy, creativity, and commitment that 
     they employ in addressing the needs of their communities;
       Whereas there is a fundamental and absolute correlation 
     between youth service and lifelong adult volunteering and 
     philanthropy;
       Whereas a sustained investment by the Federal Government 
     and commitment by corporate partners fuels the positive, 
     long-term cultural change that will make service and service-
     learning the common expectation and common experience of all 
     youth;
       Whereas, through volunteer service and related learning 
     opportunities, young people build character and learn 
     valuable skills, including time management, teamwork, needs-
     assessment, and leadership, that are sought by employers;
       Whereas service-learning, an innovative teaching method 
     combining service to the community with a classroom 
     curriculum, is a proven strategy to increase academic 
     achievement;
       Whereas private foundations and corporations support youth 
     service and service-learning because they believe that strong 
     communities begin with strong schools and a community 
     investment in the lives and futures of youth;
       Whereas National Youth Service Day is a program of Youth 
     Service America, and is being observed in 2004 for the 16th 
     consecutive year;
       Whereas Youth Service America continues to expand National 
     Youth Service Day, now engaging millions of young people 
     nationwide with 50 Lead Agencies in nearly every State to 
     organize activities across the United States;
       Whereas Youth Service America has expanded National Youth 
     Service Day to involve over 90 national partners;
       Whereas National Youth Service Day has inspired Global 
     Youth Service Day, which occurs concurrently in 127 countries 
     and is now in its fifth year; and
       Whereas young people will benefit greatly from expanded 
     opportunities to engage in meaningful volunteer service: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved,

     SECTION 1. RECOGNITION AND ENCOURAGEMENT OF YOUTH COMMUNITY 
                   SERVICE.

       The Senate recognizes and commends the significant 
     contributions of American youth and encourages the 
     cultivation of a common civic bond among young people 
     dedicated to serving their neighbors, their communities, and 
     the Nation.

     SEC. 2. NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE DAY.

       (a) Sense of the Senate.--It is the sense of the Senate 
     that the President should designate April 16, 2004, as 
     ``National Youth Service Day''.
       (b) Proclamation.--The Senate requests that the President 
     issue a proclamation--
       (1) designating April 16, 2004, as ``National Youth Service 
     Day''; and
       (2) calling on the people of the United States to--
       (A) observe the day by encouraging and engaging youth to 
     participate in civic and community service projects;
       (B) recognize the volunteer efforts of our Nation's young 
     people throughout the year; and
       (C) support these efforts as an investment in the future of 
     our Nation.

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