[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 24, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S753]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   NATIONAL GUARD YOUTH CHALLENGE DAY

  Mr. DURBIN. I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to the 
immediate consideration of S. Res. 421, submitted earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 421) supporting the goals and ideals 
     of ``National Guard Youth Challenge Day.''

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. DURBIN. I ask unanimous consent the resolution be agreed to, the 
preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the 
table, with no intervening action or debate, and any statements related 
to the resolution be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 421) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 421

       Whereas ``National Guard Youth Challenge Day'' will be 
     celebrated on February 24, 2010;
       Whereas high school dropouts need guidance, encouragement, 
     and avenues toward self-sufficiency and success;
       Whereas over 1,300,000 students drop out of high school 
     each year, costing this Nation more than $335,000,000,000 in 
     lost wages, revenues, and productivity over the lifetimes of 
     these individuals;
       Whereas the life expectancy for a high school dropout is 9 
     years less than that of a high school graduate, and a high 
     school dropout can expect to earn about $19,000 each year, 
     compared to approximately $28,000 for a high school graduate;
       Whereas 54 percent of high school dropouts were jobless 
     during an average month in 2008, with 40 percent having no 
     job for the entire year;
       Whereas each annual class of high school dropouts cost this 
     Nation over $17,000,000,000 in publicly subsidized health 
     care over the course of their lives;
       Whereas approximately 90 percent of individuals in prisons 
     throughout the United States are high school dropouts;
       Whereas the goal of the National Guard Youth Foundation, a 
     non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, is to improve the 
     education, life skills, and employment potential of high 
     school dropouts in the United States through public 
     awareness, scholarships, higher education assistance, and job 
     development programs;
       Whereas the National Guard Youth Challenge Program provides 
     military-based training, supervised work experience, 
     assistance in obtaining a high school diploma or equivalent 
     degree, and development of leadership qualities, as well as 
     promotion of citizenship, fellowship, service to their 
     community, life skills training, health and physical 
     education, positive relationships with adults and peers, and 
     career planning;
       Whereas the National Guard Youth Challenge Program 
     represents a successful joint effort between States and the 
     Federal Government;
       Whereas since 1993, the National Guard Youth Challenge 
     Program has developed 32 programs in 27 States and Puerto 
     Rico;
       Whereas since 1993, over 92,850 young individuals have 
     successfully graduated from the program, with 80 percent 
     earning their high school diploma or GED certificate, 24 
     percent going to college, 18 percent joining the military, 
     and 57 percent entering the workforce with career jobs;
       Whereas the National Guard Youth Challenge Program has 
     successfully helped high school dropouts in this Nation; and
       Whereas the National Guard Youth Challenge Program can play 
     a larger role in providing assistance to the youth of the 
     United States: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of ``National Guard Youth 
     Challenge Day''; and
       (2) calls upon the people of the United States to observe 
     ``National Guard Youth Challenge Day'' on February 24, 2010, 
     with appropriate ceremonies and respect.

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