Massachusetts Week of Action Declaration

"Whereas; indifference can erode the social fabric of our communities and nation.

Whereas; college students are among the least politically engaged by traditional standards of political participation (only 28% of 18-24 year olds voted in the 2000 election).

Whereas; this generation of college students are more likely to engage in volunteer activity than any other generation.

Whereas; college students in Massachusetts make up a group of over 300,000 individuals with ideas, voices, and actions ready to lead this generation and determine the future of our country.

Whereas; civic engagement can generate social consciousness, cohesiveness, and responsiveness to issues important to students and society.

Whereas; the Raise Your Voice campaign is a national effort involving 600 campuses to increase student involvement in public life and create solutions for the challenges facing our democracy.

Whereas; Massachusetts college students and college presidents have joined together in a statewide Raise Your Voice campaign launched by a Week of Action to increase student voice in all realms of civic life - from voting to volunteering in the community.

Therefore; now be it resolved that February 16-22, 2003 is declared Civic Engagement Week- A Week of Action."