[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 175 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]






108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 175

  Designating the month of October 2003, as ``Family History Month''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 18, 2003

Mr. Hatch submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                       Committee on the Judiciary

                             June 26, 2003

               Reported by Mr. Hatch,  without amendment

                             June 27, 2003

                        Considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Designating the month of October 2003, as ``Family History Month''.

Whereas it is the family, striving for a future of opportunity and hope, that 
        reflects our Nation's belief in community, stability, and love;
Whereas the family remains an institution of promise, reliance, and 
        encouragement;
Whereas we look to the family as an unwavering symbol of constancy that will 
        help us discover a future of prosperity, promise, and potential;
Whereas within our Nation's libraries and archives lie the treasured records 
        that detail the history of our Nation, our States, our communities, and 
        our citizens;
Whereas individuals from across our Nation and across the world have embarked on 
        a genealogical journey by discovering who their ancestors were and how 
        various forces shaped their past;
Whereas an ever-growing number in our Nation and in other nations are 
        collecting, preserving, and sharing genealogies, personal documents, and 
        memorabilia that detail the life and times of families around the world;
Whereas 54,000,000 individuals belong to a family where someone in the family 
        has used the Internet to research their family history;
Whereas individuals from across our Nation and across the world continue to 
        research their family heritage and its impact upon the history of our 
        Nation and the world;
Whereas approximately 60 percent of Americans have expressed an interest in 
        tracing their family history;
Whereas the study of family history gives individuals a sense of their heritage 
        and a sense of responsibility in carrying out a legacy that their 
        ancestors began;
Whereas as individuals learn about their ancestors who worked so hard and 
        sacrificed so much, their commitment to honor their ancestors' memory by 
        doing good is increased;
Whereas interest in our personal family history transcends all cultural and 
        religious affiliations;
Whereas to encourage family history research, education, and the sharing of 
        knowledge is to renew the commitment to the concept of home and family; 
        and
Whereas the involvement of National, State, and local officials in promoting 
        genealogy and in facilitating access to family history records in 
        archives and libraries are important factors in the successful 
        perception of nationwide camaraderie, support, and participation: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates the month of October 2003, as ``Family 
        History Month''; and
            (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
        calling upon the people of the United States to observe the 
        month with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
                                 <all>