National Youth Service Day

Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I rise in support of S. Res. 112, a resolution that requests the President of the United States to designate April 11, 2003 as "National Youth Service Day," acknowledges the remarkable community service efforts of youth today, and encourages all people to recognize and support the significance of these contributions.

NYSD is a public awareness and education campaign that highlights the extraordinary contributions that young people make to their communities throughout the year. On this day, youth from across the United States and the world will carry out community service projects in areas ranging from hunger to literacy to the environment. NYSD is the largest service event in the world with over three million participants. NYSD brings a diverse group of local, regional, and national partners together to support and promote youth service.

As a mother of two young sons, I understand the importance of recognizing and supporting the positive contributions that youth make to our country and the world each and every day. It is imperative to keep young people active and motivated, and instilled with a sense of community responsibility. Volunteer work gives youth an outlet to gain this responsibility, and to learn valuable skills that are essential to personal and academic achievement.

I thank my colleagues—Senators AKAKA, BAUCUS, BIDEN, BROWNBACK, BUNNING, CAMPBELL, CLINTON, COCHRAN, COLLINS, DEWINE, DOMENICI, DURBIN, JOHNSON, KENNEDY, LANDRIEU, LUGAR, MIKULSKI, MURRAY, and STEVENS—for co-sponsoring this worthwhile legislation, which will ensure that youth across the country and the world know that all of their hard work is greatly appreciated.