Six U.S. Senators Call for Establishment of a Presidential Youth Council December 11th, 2012


Six U.S. Senators call for establishment of
a Presidential Youth Council

 


Youth coalition applauds introduction of Senate Resolution 608

December 5, 2012 – WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Campaign for Presidential Youth Council applauds U.S. Senator Scott Brown (R-MA) and U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) for the introduction of S.R. 608 in U.S. Senate today supporting the establishment of a bi-partisan Presidential Youth Council.  U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), U.S. Senator Mark Begich (D-AK), U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) are co-sponsors of the resolution. The introduction builds upon U.S. Representative John B. Larson’s (D-CT) introduction of a similar resolution, supported by U.S. Representative John Shimkus (R-IL), to the House of Representatives. Today, the Campaign for a Presidential Youth Council also calls on youth across the nation to write their member of congress asking them to co-sponsor Senate Resolution 608.

“Young people bring a unique perspective that can help make our government more efficient, effective, and innovative,” said Alex Wirth, 19, organizer of the Campaign for a Presidential Youth Council. “I hope all young Americans across the nation will contact the President and their representatives in Congress and say that we showed up at the voting booth and now we want a seat at the table.”

According to the non-partisan CIRCLE at Tufts University young people decided the 2012 election comprising 19 percent of the electorate.  Yet only 29 percent of young Americans believe they have a say in what the government does, according to the Harvard Institute of Politics.  With issues from education reform to the federal deficit directly impacting the Millennial generation, a Presidential Youth Council would give the nation’s youth a voice in the national debate and provide useful insight to policymakers as they design and implement youth policy.

“It sends a very powerful message to the people in Washington that kids matter, that the youth of America matter," said U.S. Senator Scott Brown, “The decisions we're making today are going to affect our kids tomorrow."

“Creating a Presidential Youth Council would give lawmakers the insights we need about how our policies affect young people,” said U.S. Senator Tom Udall, “The least we can do is pull up a chair for you to join the discussion.”

The model for a Presidential Youth Council is a proven and established approach for engaging young people in organizations. The National League of Cities estimates that there are over 400 local youth councils in cities all across the United States. The State Department is building youth councils in U.S. embassies around the world and national organizations and fortune 500 corporations regularly bring young people together to garner their unique views and perspectives.

More than 100 local, state, and national youth-serving organizations including the America’s Promise Alliance, DoSomething.org, The Forum for Youth Investment, Youth Service America, generationOn, Young Invincibles and the First Focus Campaign for Children support the Campaign for a Presidential Youth Council.

About the Campaign for a Presidential Youth Council
The Campaign for a Presidential Youth Council is a bi-partisan, youth-led initiative created by young people from all across the country.  Our mission is to establish a Presidential Youth Council, comprised of young Americans ages 16-24, to advise the President on the perspectives of young people, offer suggestions on the design and implementation of youth policies, and to create shared recommendations on issues that will affect the long-term future of our country. To learn more and show your support visit: http://www.presidentialyouthcouncil.org.

Media contacts:

Kari Sherrodd, Inspire Now PR
(512) 850-5359 | [email protected]

Alex Wirth, Campaign for a Presidential Youth Council
(505) 231-7733 | [email protected]
 

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