III 116TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION S. RES. 520 Designating March 6, 2020, as ‘‘National Speech and Debate Education Day’’. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES FEBRUARY 27, 2020 Mr. GRASSLEY (for himself, Mr. COONS, Ms. ERNST, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, Mr. CRAPO, Mr. DURBIN, Mr. BRAUN, Mr. KING, Ms. WARREN, and Mr. COTTON) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Designating March 6, 2020, as ‘‘National Speech and Debate Education Day’’. Whereas it is essential for youth to learn and practice the art of communicating with and without technology; Whereas speech and debate education offers students myriad forms of public speaking through which students may de- velop talent and exercise unique voice and character; Whereas speech and debate education gives students the 21st-century skills of communication, critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration; Whereas critical analysis and effective communication allow important ideas, texts, and philosophies the opportunity to flourish; VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:53 Feb 27, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR520.ATS SR520 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 2 •SRES 520 ATS Whereas personal, professional, and civic interactions are en- hanced by the ability of the participants in those inter- actions to listen, concur, question, and dissent with rea- son and compassion; Whereas students who participate in speech and debate have chosen a challenging activity that requires regular prac- tice, dedication, and hard work; Whereas teachers and coaches of speech and debate devote in-school, afterschool, and weekend hours to equip stu- dents with life-changing skills and opportunities; Whereas National Speech and Debate Education Day empha- sizes the lifelong impact of providing people of the United States with the confidence and preparation to both dis- cern and share views; Whereas National Speech and Debate Education Day ac- knowledges that most achievements, celebrations, com- memorations, and pivotal moments in modern history begin, end, or are crystallized with public address; Whereas National Speech and Debate Education Day recog- nizes that learning to research, construct, and present an argument is integral to personal advocacy, social move- ments, and the making of public policy; Whereas the National Speech & Debate Association, in con- junction with national and local partners, honors and celebrates the importance of speech and debate through National Speech and Debate Education Day; and Whereas National Speech and Debate Education Day empha- sizes the importance of speech and debate education and the integration of speech and debate education across grade levels and disciplines: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— 1 VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:53 Feb 27, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SR520.ATS SR520 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 3 •SRES 520 ATS (1) designates March 6, 2020, as ‘‘National 1 Speech and Debate Education Day’’; 2 (2) strongly affirms the purposes of National 3 Speech and Debate Education Day; and 4 (3) encourages educational institutions, busi- 5 nesses, community and civic associations, and all 6 people of the United States to celebrate and promote 7 National Speech and Debate Education Day. 8 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:53 Feb 27, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR520.ATS SR520 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS