[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 173 (Tuesday, December 1, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S8244]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS
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SENATE RESOLUTION 323--SUPPORTING THE DESIGNATION OF DECEMBER 1, 2015,
AS ``#GIVINGTUESDAY'' AND SUPPORTING STRONG INCENTIVES FOR ALL PEOPLE
OF THE UNITED STATES TO GIVE GENEROUSLY
Mr. SCHUMER (for himself, Mr. Thune, Ms. Stabenow, and Mr. Roberts)
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee
on Finance:
S. Res. 323
Whereas the Tuesday after Thanksgiving begins the holiday
giving season with a global day dedicated to charitable
giving, known as ``#GivingTuesday'';
Whereas December 1, 2015, is the fourth annual
#GivingTuesday;
Whereas since the inception of #GivingTuesday in 2012,
#GivingTuesday has become a worldwide movement that
celebrates the power of giving in all forms;
Whereas in 2012, #GivingTuesday brought together more than
2,500 organizations in all 50 States and continues to gain
momentum with more than 35,000 partners in the United States
and around the world;
Whereas online donations have increased 470 percent since
the Tuesday after Thanksgiving in 2011;
Whereas #GivingTuesday, along with other community giving
days, highlights the charitable community in the United
States, which comprises approximately 1,500,000 nonprofit
organizations, philanthropic organizations, and religious
congregations that are dedicated to improving lives and
strengthening communities;
Whereas nonprofit organizations are key partners with
Federal, State, and local governments in the delivery of key
programs and services, including--
(1) child learning and nutrition;
(2) emergency disaster response;
(3) services for victims; and
(4) job training and placement programs;
Whereas communities are lifted up by the exposure of all
community members to the cultural, educational, and civic
opportunities provided by nonprofit organizations;
Whereas the values of volunteerism and generosity toward
the common good has led to over 60 percent of people in the
United States, including 84 percent of millennials, making
financial contributions to support the work of nonprofit
organizations;
Whereas virtually every person in the United States
benefits from the work of the charitable community, which--
(1) employs over 13,700,000 workers, or 10 percent of the
workforce of the United States; and
(2) engages an additional 63,000,000 volunteers;
Whereas in 2014, individuals, foundations, and businesses
gave over $335,000,000,000 to support charitable causes and
it has been estimated that, with no deduction for charitable
gifts, annual individual giving would drop by 25 to 36
percent;
Whereas other effective charitable giving incentives in the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 relating to individual
retirement account contributions, food donations, and
conservation easement donations expired on January 1, 2015,
the fifth time in recent years;
Whereas the United States is a great country with a strong
philanthropic tradition that should be continued and carried
on; and
Whereas all political parties can agree on charitable
giving, which transcends differences of ideology and unites
people across boundaries: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) recognizes that the United States needs a strong and
vibrant charitable and philanthropic sector to enable
communities to meet local needs;
(2) supports the designation of December 1, 2015, as
``#GivingTuesday''--
(A) to encourage charitable giving;
(B) to effect positive change; and
(C) to promote causes dedicated to progress, prosperity,
and a better world; and
(3) supports strong incentives for all people of the United
States to give generously to charitable organizations by--
(A) protecting the existing charitable donation tax
deduction; and
(B) continuing incentives that encourage philanthropy,
volunteering, and innovation.
Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I am pleased to support S. Res. 323, a
resolution I submitted today along with Senator Schumer, Senator
Stabenow, and Senator Roberts, which expresses the sense of the Senate
that Congress should recognize the benefits of charitable giving and
express support for the designation of today, December 1, 2015, as
#GivingTuesday.
Celebrated annually since 2012 on the Tuesday after Black Friday and
Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday kicks off the holiday giving season with a
global day dedicated to charitable giving through a social movement
that encourages giving in all its forms by people and communities
across the country.
From the first year of #GivingTuesday, when more than 2,500
organizations from all 50 States came together to celebrate giving, to
today, when more than 35,000 partners in the United States and around
the world will participate, this movement has provided an annual
opportunity for the country to come together to honor the long American
history of giving back and working together.
I would also like to recognize #GivingTuesday for its power to enact
positive change and promote causes that further progress and prosperity
for a better world, while also enabling local communities to meet
specific needs.
In my State of South Dakota, for example, many local organizations
have already endorsed #GivingTuesday. Feeding South Dakota, located in
Pierre, Rapid City, and Sioux Falls, is participating through numerous
food programs and fundraisers with the ultimate goal of eliminating
hunger entirely in my state. Likewise, the United Way & Volunteer
Services of Greater Yankton is participating through a book drive that
benefits local children as part of the Big Red Bookshelf program, and
through financial support that will be used for the Connecting Kids
Youth Scholarship program.
The success of #GivingTuesday further highlights the work of the
American charitable community, which boasts 1.5 million nonprofits,
philanthropic organizations, and religious congregations dedicated to
improving lives and strengthening communities. These charitable
organizations employ 13.7 million workers, or nearly 10 percent of the
U.S. workforce, with an additional 63 million people engaged in
volunteer work.
In all, more than 60 percent of Americans, including 84 percent of
millennials, make financial contributions to support the work of
nonprofit organizations.
As we just gave thanks last week surrounded by friends and family, it
is abundantly clear that we have much to be thankful for. I hope that
my colleagues will join me to continue that spirit of giving and
sharing, and support #GivingTuesday.
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