[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 184 (Tuesday, December 9, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S10837]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




ACKNOWLEDGING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND GOALS OF THE YOUTH IMPACT PROGRAM

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now 
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 725.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 725) acknowledging the 
     accomplishments and goals of the Youth Impact Program.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider 
be laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 725) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 725

       Whereas many at-risk young men in the inner cities of the 
     United States face a challenging and uncertain future;
       Whereas the future success of at-risk young men can be 
     greatly enhanced through sustained mentorship;
       Whereas effective working partnerships between and within 
     the public and private sectors can have a lasting and 
     positive impact on the future of at-risk young men;
       Whereas participation in organized sports has provided a 
     creative and disciplined outlet and a path to a better life 
     for many at-risk young men;
       Whereas the Youth Impact Program combines the disciplines 
     of football, mentoring, and academics in partnerships between 
     local National Football League franchises and universities to 
     promote discipline, learning, and positive values;
       Whereas the Youth Impact Program is a community-based 
     program that has proven its value over the past 2 years in 
     raising the outlook and aspirations of at-risk young men and 
     has provided at-risk young men greater exposure to academics, 
     core values, and life skills;
       Whereas the Youth Impact Program provides year-round 
     mentoring to its participants, a proven formula for building 
     success;
       Whereas the National Football League, the National Football 
     League Players Association, the University of Southern 
     California, and Tulane University have provided critical 
     support to the Youth Impact Program;
       Whereas the Youth Impact Program will be expanded to 3 
     additional cities in partnership with local National Football 
     League franchises and universities;
       Whereas the Youth Impact Program seeks to establish a 
     presence in each city with a local National Football League 
     franchise; and
       Whereas under the vision and leadership of Mr. Riki 
     Ellison, the founder of the Youth Impact Program, a 10-year 
     veteran of the National Football League, a 3-time Super Bowl 
     champion, and a University of Southern California alumnus, 
     the Youth Impact Program has expanded from a regional program 
     to a program with a growing national presence: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the ongoing and significant contributions of 
     those organizations that support the Youth Impact Program; 
     and
       (2) encourages the expansion of the Youth Impact Program to 
     inner cities across the United States.

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