Submitted Resolutions

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

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.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source