[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Page 21424]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     NATIONAL DAY OF ENCOURAGEMENT

  Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 261, submitted 
earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The bill clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 261) designating September 12, 2009, 
     as ``National Day of Encouragement.''

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be 
laid upon the table, and any statements be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 261) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 261

       Whereas negative images, stories, and influences in the 
     day-to-day lives of Americans can detrimentally affect their 
     emotional well-being, interactions with others, and general 
     demeanor;
       Whereas a group of teenagers participating in a leadership 
     forum at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas, identified a 
     lack of encouragement as one of the greatest problems facing 
     young people today;
       Whereas the youth of our Nation need guidance, inspiration, 
     and reassurance to counteract this negativity and to develop 
     the qualities of character essential for future leadership in 
     our country;
       Whereas a National Day of Encouragement would serve as a 
     reminder to counterbalance and overcome negative influences, 
     and would also provide much-needed encouragement and support 
     to others;
       Whereas following the events of September 11, 2001, 
     thousands of people of the United States made sacrifices in 
     order to bring help and healing to the victims and their 
     families, inspiring and encouraging the Nation; and
       Whereas the renewed feelings of unity, hope, selflessness, 
     and encouragement that began on September 12, 2001, are the 
     same feelings that the National Day of Encouragement is meant 
     to recapture and spread: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates September 12, 2009, as ``National Day of 
     Encouragement'';
       (2) acknowledges the importance of encouragement and 
     positive influences in the lives of all people; and
       (3) urges the people of the United States to encourage 
     others, whether it be through an act of service, a thoughtful 
     letter, or words of kindness and inspiration, and to thereby 
     boost the morale of all.

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