Recognizing and supporting all efforts to promote greater civic awareness among the people of the United States.

September 23, 2004

Mr. LEVIN (for himself, Mr. COCHRAN, Mr. LEAHY, Mr. ALLEN, Mr. JEFFORDS, Mr. REID, Mr. BAUCUS, Mrs. BOXER, Mr. LAUTENBERG, Mr. CRAIG, Mr. KENNEDY, Mr. KOHL, Mr. BIDEN, Mr. DASCHLE, Mr. WYDEN, Mr. AKAKA, and Mr. DAYTON) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

Recognizing and supporting all efforts to promote greater civic awareness among the people of the United States.

Whereas the Constitution of the United States establishes a representative form of government in which the people of the United States elect Members of the House of Representatives and Senators of the Senate, and each of the States appoint electors who, based on the popular vote of the State, select the President and the Vice-President;

Whereas the 15th, 19th, 24th, and 26th amendments to the Constitution establish that the right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude; on account of sex; by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax; and on account of age for those 18 years of age and older;

Whereas the right of citizens of the United States to vote is fundamental to our representative form of government;

Whereas many eligible citizens do not exercise the right to vote;

Whereas numerous civic awareness organizations and advocacy groups at the Federal, State, and local level actively promote voter registration and voter participation; and

Whereas many communities and schools have instituted civic awareness programs: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate--

(1) recognizes and supports all efforts to promote greater civic awareness among the people of the United States, including civic awareness programs such as candidate forums and voter registration drives; and

(2) encourages local communities and elected officials at all levels of government to promote greater awareness among the electorate of civic responsibility and the importance of participating in these elections.

END