Global Youth Service Day

Floor Speech

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Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I rise to speak about a resolution I have submitted designating April 20 through 22, 2012, as Global Youth Service Day.'' My resolution recognizes and commends the significant community service efforts that youth are making in communities across the country and around the world on this weekend in April and every day. This resolution also encourages the citizens of the United States to acknowledge and support these volunteer efforts. Passage of this resolution sends a very strong message of support to the thousands of youth across our great Nation who are contributing positively to their communities--your efforts are recognized and appreciated.

Beginning Friday, April 20, youth from across the United States and around the world will carry out community service projects in areas ranging from hunger to literacy to the environment. Through this service, many will embark on a lifelong path of service and civic engagement in more than 100 countries around the world.

Mr. President, the participation of youth in service to their communities is more than just a way to spend a Saturday afternoon. All year long, young people across America, indeed--across the globe--identify and address the needs of their communities, make positive differences in the world around them, learn leadership and organizational skills, and gain insights into the problems of their fellow citizens.

The positive effects of this service are not limited to the projects our young people complete. Youth who are engaged in volunteer service and service-learning activities do better in school than their classmates who do not volunteer because they see a direct connection to what they are learning and the real world in which they live. Youth who engage in volunteering and other positive activities are also more likely to avoid risky behaviors, such as drug and alcohol use, crime, and promiscuity. Service within the community also contributes positively to young people's character development, civic participation, and philanthropic activity as adults.

Youth service also plays a role in encouraging our young people to stay in school. A survey by Civic Enterprises found that 47 percent of high school dropouts reported that boredom in school was a primary reason why they dropped out. High quality service-learning activities can, however, help young people see that school matters to them personally.

It is important, therefore, that the Senate encourage youth to engage in community service and to congratulate them for the service they provide.

In an effort to recognize and support youth volunteers in my State, I am proud to acknowledge some of the young people who have participated in community service activities over the past year. Last year, the members of the Youth Advisory Board for Anchorage's Promise partnered with various community and faith-based organizations in Anchorage and held a ``Solidarity Sleep Out'' event that taught both middle school and high school students what it means to be homeless and what can be done to help. I am told that the impact of this event was huge and long-lasting. This year, these young leaders have decided to focus on the problems of suicide and bullying--two major issues facing Anchorage and our entire State. Their goal is to find ways to bring more awareness, resources, and funding to these two issues.

In addition to these efforts, young people from across my home State and this country have and will continue to engage in projects such as helping the homeless, the hungry, and the elderly. In fact, young people from across Alaska turn their energy and initiative to projects such as restoring salmon streams, combating domestic violence, raising money for community needs, and providing other significant acts of service for their peers and for adults.

I am so proud of all of these young Alaskans. I value their idealism, energy, creativity, and unique perspectives as they volunteer to make their communities better and assist those in need.

Many similarly wonderful activities will be taking place all across the Nation. I encourage all of my colleagues to learn about and applaud the selfless and creative youth who are contributing in their own States this year.

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