[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16939]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                       TAKE YOUR KIDS TO VOTE DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CONSTANCE A. MORELLA

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 27, 2000

  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, today I introduce a piece of legislation 
that will designate November 7, 2000 as National Take Your Kids to Vote 
Day.
  Since 1972, voter participation in national elections has dropped 
dramatically. In 1972, nearly two-thirds of eligible adults cast their 
ballots. In 1996, the last Presidential election, less than half of all 
eligible voters (43 percent) exercised their right to vote. Even more 
disturbing, however, is the drop-off in voter participation rates among 
younger adults, ages 18-24. Since the 1972 election there has been 
nearly a 20-percentage point decline, with only 32 percent going to the 
polls in 1996.
  If we are going to turn this trend around, we have to start with our 
children. Parents need to talk to their children about the importance 
of voting. In fact, parents, if they have the opportunity, should take 
their children to the polls on Election Day.
  Studies indicate that young people whose parents vote in every 
election are twice as likely to vote as those whose parents vote 
infrequently or not at all. And it's even more important for parents to 
talk to their children about the value of voting and democracy. 
Children whose parents talk to them about government and politics are 
far more likely to vote when they become adults. Kids Voting USA, a 
nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that has been working to involve 
youth in the election process for nearly a decade now says that 
``Taking your child to the polls is one of the most important things 
you can do as a citizen and parent.''
  This is something that all of us--Republicans, Democrats, and 
Independents--should agree upon. Democracy is too important to waste. I 
urge my colleagues to support this legislation and help make voting a 
family tradition.

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