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[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 421 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 421

  Supporting the goals and ideals of ``National Guard Youth Challenge 
                                 Day''.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           February 24, 2010

 Ms. Landrieu (for herself, Mrs. Lincoln, Mr. Chambliss, Mrs. Shaheen, 
 Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Barrasso, Mr. Byrd, Mr. Isakson, and Mr. Bennett) 
 submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
  Supporting the goals and ideals of ``National Guard Youth Challenge 
                                 Day''.

Whereas ``National Guard Youth Challenge Day'' will be celebrated on February 
        24, 2010;
Whereas high school dropouts need guidance, encouragement, and avenues toward 
        self-sufficiency and success;
Whereas over 1,300,000 students drop out of high school each year, costing this 
        Nation more than $335,000,000,000 in lost wages, revenues, and 
        productivity over the lifetimes of these individuals;
Whereas the life expectancy for a high school dropout is 9 years less than that 
        of a high school graduate, and a high school dropout can expect to earn 
        about $19,000 each year, compared to approximately $28,000 for a high 
        school graduate;
Whereas 54 percent of high school dropouts were jobless during an average month 
        in 2008, with 40 percent having no job for the entire year;
Whereas each annual class of high school dropouts cost this Nation over 
        $17,000,000,000 in publicly subsidized health care over the course of 
        their lives;
Whereas approximately 90 percent of individuals in prisons throughout the United 
        States are high school dropouts;
Whereas the goal of the National Guard Youth Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) 
        organization, is to improve the education, life skills, and employment 
        potential of high school dropouts in the United States through public 
        awareness, scholarships, higher education assistance, and job 
        development programs;
Whereas the National Guard Youth Challenge Program provides military-based 
        training, supervised work experience, assistance in obtaining a high 
        school diploma or equivalent degree, and development of leadership 
        qualities, as well as promotion of citizenship, fellowship, service to 
        their community, life skills training, health and physical education, 
        positive relationships with adults and peers, and career planning;
Whereas the National Guard Youth Challenge Program represents a successful joint 
        effort between States and the Federal Government;
Whereas since 1993, the National Guard Youth Challenge Program has developed 32 
        programs in 27 States and Puerto Rico;
Whereas since 1993, over 92,850 young individuals have successfully graduated 
        from the program, with 80 percent earning their high school diploma or 
        GED certificate, 24 percent going to college, 18 percent joining the 
        military, and 57 percent entering the workforce with career jobs;
Whereas the National Guard Youth Challenge Program has successfully helped high 
        school dropouts in this Nation; and
Whereas the National Guard Youth Challenge Program can play a larger role in 
        providing assistance to the youth of the United States: Now, therefore, 
        be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of ``National Guard Youth 
        Challenge Day''; and
            (2) calls upon the people of the United States to observe 
        ``National Guard Youth Challenge Day'' on February 24, 2010, 
        with appropriate ceremonies and respect.
                                 <all>
```