4353959 ACR 20-40, “If I Had a Trillion Dollars’ Youth Film Festival Day Recognition Resolution of 2013”

A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION

 

20-40

 

IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

 

April 9, 2013

 

 

To declare April 15, 2013, as “’If I Had a Trillion Dollars’ Youth Film Festival Day” in the District of Columbia.

 

            WHEREAS, the annual “If I Had A Trillion Dollars” Youth Film Festival asks youth to answer the questions “If you had the power to choose, how would you spend $1 trillion? What could that money do for your family, for your community, for your nation, or for the world?” by making short videos;

 

            WHEREAS, in making the videos, youth are asked to consider the $1 trillion spent yearly on the United States military; the $1 trillion spent on the wars abroad in the Middle East, and the $1 trillion plus in tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans;

 

            WHEREAS, the sponsors of the film festival are the American Friends Service Committee and the National Priorities Project, which created the festival to help integrate the voices and ideas of young people in the nation’s budget debate;

          

            WHEREAS, as revenue and spending decisions made at the federal level disproportionately affect young people, the festival is geared toward educating and inspiring young people to engage in civic activism;

 

            WHEREAS, more than 240 youth submitted 63 videos, a record, in this 3rd annual “If I Had a Trillion Dollars” film festival, and with 25 entries having been named official selections;

 

            WHEREAS, the videos feature clever lyrics, vivid images, and thoughtful policy recommendations by a diverse and creative group of young people;

 

             WHEREAS, the young film makers range in age from 9 to 23 years, come from 33 different organizations and 6 schools, and live in Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Kansas City, Los Angele, Miami, Milwaukee, New York, Pittsburgh, and other communities across 15 states;

                       

            WHEREAS, the festival culminates in Washington, D.C. from April 13 through April 15, 2013, with a youth leadership conference, a film screening for members of Congress, and a free public screening of the videos;

 

            WHEREAS, the participants’ trip to Washington, D.C. is for many their first visit to the Capitol City; their first participation in civic activism, and their first public discussion of their own budget priorities; and

 

            WHEREAS, youth who are engaged and informed in the political process are a significant asset to the nation’s future, and are especially welcome to Washington, D.C., the seat of the nation’s capital.

 

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the “’If I Had a Trillion Dollars’ Youth Film Festival Day Recognition Resolution of 2013”.

 

Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia declares April 15, 2013, as “’If I Had a Trillion Dollars’ Youth Film Festival Day” in the District of Columbia.

 

            Sec. 3 This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in the District of Columbia Register.