A concurrent resolution recognizing the 91st annual meeting of The Garden Club of America.

Mr. President, I am pleased to submit the People-to- People Engagement in World Affairs resolution with my esteemed colleague, Senator Chuck Hagel.

In the 1960s, during a troubled and divisive time for our country, President John F. Kennedy challenged Americans to ``ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.'' Today, the need is even more urgent for Americans to be active participants both in the United States and abroad.

This People-to-People Engagement in World Affairs resolution is a call to Americans to look beyond our borders to engage with the wider world at an individual, human level. It encourages Americans to seize opportunities to engage in the global arena--through participating in a professional or cultural exchange; studying or volunteering abroad; working with an immigrant or refugee group in the United States; hosting a foreign student or professional; participating in a sister- city program; and/or learning a foreign language.

It also asks the Secretary of State to coordinate with implementing partners in creating an online database that lists these opportunities for Americans.

In today's world, our challenges and opportunities are global in nature. Terrorism, the greatest threat to our national security, crosses all national boundaries and feeds off the gaps in intelligence and communication created by borders. Other important issues, such as the proliferation of WMD, human trafficking, poverty, environmental degradation, and diseases from HIV/AIDS to polio also have little regard for borders. These challenges require international cooperation, and Americans at all levels of society are instrumental in finding and achieving meaningful solutions.

This resolution encourages Americans to forge relationships with people outside of the United States to change not only how Americans view and act in the world, but how others view Americans. Presently, anti-Americanism is growing at a startling rate. According to the Pew Research Center, negative views of the United States among Muslims, which were once limited to the Middle East, have spread to populations in places like Nigeria and Indonesia. A growing percentage of Muslims see serious threats to Islam by the United States. Majorities in seven of eight Muslim populations surveyed express worries that the U.S. might become a military threat to their countries. And these disturbing trends hold strong even beyond the Muslim world.

This is dangerous for a number of reasons. Anti-Americanism undermines our ability to work effectively with other countries on our global problems. In addition, in our fight against terror, anti- Americanism can create a steady supply of recruits for terrorist networks, intent on our destruction. These terrorist networks have unfairly blamed the United States for the unemployment, the poverty and the powerlessness that so many around the world experience on a daily basis. They feed off erroneous perceptions of Americans, distorting our image to achieve their own objectives.

Americans must combat these misperceptions and turn mistrust into understanding. If we don't define ourselves to the people of the world, we run the risk that terrorist will continue to make America a scapegoat for other nation's ills. In order to show the world who Americans really are, diplomacy must occur at all levels of society and not only through U.S. government representatives. Artists, scholars, teachers, nurses, doctors, and business people all have a role in shaping this image and in presenting a different American face to the world.

Many Americans have been engaged for decades. In my own State of Wisconsin, my constituents have demonstrated altruism and curiosity daily. They have worked in the Peace Corps, trained dairy farmers in South America and Eastern Europe, participated in sister-city exchanges with the former Soviet Union, traveled to refugee camps in Thailand and hosted international students. Through these activities, my constituents have fought stereotypes and created openings for greater trust and cooperation. The need is greater now than ever before for more Americans to become involved.

I have been approached by Americans of all ages and all economic backgrounds to ask me how they can become more involved. This resolution is a response to those Americans and a challenge to many more to define our times and to shape our world. The creation of the online database as part of this resolution will assist Americans in finding the best way for them personally to participate. Americans will use their enthusiasm and curiosity to engage in the world where they can--through tutoring children, through assisting refugees who come to our country, through professional training, and through showing concern for the well-being of other outside of the United States.

This resolution is a challenge to Americans to make connections in their own way--to listen and show respect for others and their way of life. Americans can bridge the gap between

this powerful nation and people around the world who feel frustrated and powerless. We can change perceptions, change minds, and change the world we live in.

Mr. President, today I am submitting legislation together with Senator Mikulski that would recognize the achievements of The Garden Club of America on the occasion of its 91st annual meeting in Washington, DC, from April 24 through 27, 2004. This meeting in our Nation's Capital is especially significant because it occurs here only once every twenty-five years. This legislation recognizes and honors The Garden Club and the work of its 17,000 members to improve our country.

Since its founding in 1913, The Garden Club of America has grown to include 195 member clubs in 40 States and the District of Columbia. It is a recognized leader in the fields of horticulture, conservation, historic preservation, civic improvement, and has significant influence in the protection of America's environment.

Right here in the District of Columbia we can witness the results of The Garden Club's labor. Indeed it played an instrumental role in the founding of the National Arboretum and the development of the Archives of American Gardens at the Smithsonian Institution.

Perhaps even more importantly, The Garden Club has become a significant impetus for community service across the United States. The scope of The Garden Club of America goes well beyond its numerous publications, its public plant and flower shows, and its national medalists. It is a source for the exchange of ideas and a platform for the betterment of our communities across this great country. The purpose of The Garden Club of America is to stimulate the knowledge and love of gardening, but also to share the advantages of association through educational meetings, conferences, correspondence, and publications, and to improve the quality of the environment through conservation and civic improvement.

As a Marylander I know first hand of the contributions The Garden Club of America has made to our State. Ladew Topiary Gardens is a prime example of the edification and enjoyment that stems from the support of The Garden Club of America. Since 1971, Ladew Gardens has used its 22 acres of gardens to educate children, entertain families, and promote the importance of beautiful landscapes within our communities. Every spring and summer, hundreds of families congregate in the gardens to enjoy the Sunday concerts, afternoon picnics, and self-guided educational nature walks. And every year, hundreds of families leave the gardens with an exhilarated appreciation for America's outdoors, and an enriched desire to conserve that beauty.

The Garden Club of America has asked for very little in return for its dedication to America's beautiful landscapes. I am submitting this legislation today in the hope that we in the Congress can recognize this significant contribution as The Garden Club of America holds its annual meeting here in our Nation's Capital. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to join me in supporting this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 97) recognizing the 91st annual meeting of the Garden Club of America.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on S. Con. Res. 97.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, Senate Concurrent Resolution 97 recognizes the 91st annual meeting of the Garden Club of America. The resolution is timely because the Garden Club's annual meeting is here in Washington, D.C., this weekend from April 24 to 27.

So what is the Garden Club of America? The club is a national nonprofit organization that promotes gardening activities and restores, improves, and protects the quality of numerous aspects of the environment. The club has more than 17,000 members in 195 local chapters across the Nation.

We acknowledge the contributions of the Garden Club today because of their work to beautify so many of our Nation's communities.

Twelve local clubs here in the District of Columbia and nearby Maryland will host the annual national meeting this weekend. This year's meeting theme is ``Capital Landscapes,'' and the distinguished honorary chair for the weekend is the First Lady of the United States, Laura Bush. It has been 20 years since Washington has hosted a national meeting, and so it is appropriate that we celebrate the Garden Club's return to our Nation's Capital.

I encourage all Members of the House to support Senate Concurrent Resolution 97.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Petri), a very good friend of the Garden Club, who also sponsored an identical piece of legislation, House Concurrent Resolution 368, here in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I commend both the Senator from Maryland as well as the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Petri) for their work to recognize the Garden Club of America prior to their annual meeting this weekend. I urge the House to adopt Senate Concurrent Resolution 97.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, as the cold of winter warms to spring, and as trees bud and flowers bloom, we pause to appreciate the beauty of nature. And so it is appropriate on this perfect spring day in our Nation's Capital that we recognize the Garden Club of America for its outstanding work throughout the United States.

Founded in 1913, the Garden Club of America has worked to share with others a respect for nature and an appreciation for its beauty. Today there are 195 member clubs in 40 States that work towards this collective goal for the benefit of us all.

By spreading its message of conservation and civic improvement, the Garden Club of America has helped to develop our scenic landscape and thereby had a profound impact on our country. We need to look no further than our Nation's Capital to understand that positive impact. While Washington, D.C., is known for its political debate, it is cherished by residents and visitors alike for the lush gardens and parks that provide us with a respite from brick and concrete of the city. The Garden Club of America has been instrumental in the beautification of our Nation's Capital by helping to create the National Arboretum, the Archives of American Gardens at the Smithsonian, as well as the annual cherry blossom display which brings joy to the many people it draws from around the world.

When George Washington chose this land to be our Nation's Capital, it was little more than swampland. It is now a beautiful city in which all Americans can take pride.

I know that there are those who will probably even admonish the Congress for taking time out to acknowledge the work done by those who have actually worked to help make and keep America beautiful. And I guess the realization has to be that America would not be as beautiful as it is unless there were some helping to make it so.

For this and for all the hard work the Garden Club of America does, we say thank you to the Garden Club. I urge passage of this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. Con. Res. 97 and in recognition of the Garden Club of America and its members in central New Jersey.

Since its inception in 1913, the Garden Club of America has evolved from simply focusing on good gardening practices to becoming a leading advocacy group for environmental protection and community involvement. The men and women of the Garden Club work intimately with the soil and plants and know the value of clear air, clean water, and uncontaminated earth.

I work with Garden Club members in New Jersey and here in Washington, DC. They come to Capitol Hill to inform members of Congress about necessary protections for our air and water and necessary funding for preserving open space. Their hands-on work, literally, plays an equally important role in preserving the land and water around us. Garden Club members disseminate information on good gardening practices and maintenance of healthy lawns or golf courses with a minimum of chemicals. They also organize community events around gardening and provide scholarships and fellowships for young people interested in studying related fields.

The Garden Club of America has gone to great lengths to demonstrate the joys of horticulture to all Americans. They were instrumental in the founding of the National Arboretum and the Archives of American Gardens at the Smithsonian Institution and have played a significant role in the founding and upkeep of numerous other major gardens around the country.

Now, more than ever, these activists are turning their energies on the major environmental issues of the day. They are together a force to be reckoned with.

I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution and continuing to encourage the work of Garden Club of America members in their districts.