Whereas many nations throughout the world, and especially
within the Western hemisphere, celebrate Día de los Niños
, or
Day of the Children
on the 30th of April, in recognition and
celebration of their country’s future—their children;
Whereas children represent the hopes and dreams of the
people of the United States;
Whereas children are the center of American
families;
Whereas children should be nurtured and invested in to
preserve and enhance economic prosperity, democracy, and the American
spirit;
Whereas Hispanics in the United States, the youngest and
fastest growing ethnic community in the Nation, continue the tradition of
honoring their children on this day, and wish to share this custom with the
rest of the Nation;
Whereas 1 in 4 Americans is projected to be of Hispanic
descent by the year 2050, and as of 2003, approximately 12,300,000 Hispanic
children live in the United States;
Whereas traditional Hispanic family life centers largely
on children;
Whereas the primary teachers of family values, morality,
and culture are parents and family members, and we rely on children to pass on
these family values, morals, and culture to future generations;
Whereas more than 500,000 children drop out of school each
year, and Hispanic dropout rates are unacceptably high;
Whereas the importance of literacy and education are most
often communicated to children through family members;
Whereas families should be encouraged to engage in family
and community activities that include extended and elderly family members and
encourage children to explore, develop confidence, and pursue their
dreams;
Whereas the designation of a day to honor the children of
the United States will help affirm for the people of the United States the
significance of family, education, and community;
Whereas the designation of a day of special recognition
for the children of the United States will provide an opportunity for children
to reflect on their future, to articulate their dreams and aspirations, and to
find comfort and security in the support of their family members and
communities;
Whereas the National Latino Children’s Institute, serving
as a voice for children, has worked with cities throughout the country to
declare April 30 as Día de los Niños: Celebrating Young
Americans
—a day to bring together Hispanics and other communities
nationwide to celebrate and uplift children; and
Whereas the children of a nation are the responsibility of
all its people, and people should be encouraged to celebrate the gifts of
children to society—their curiosity, laughter, faith, energy, spirit, hopes,
and dreams: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate—
(1)designates April
30, 2005, as Día de los Niños: Celebrating Young Americans
;
and
(2)calls on the
people of the United States to join with all children, families, organizations,
communities, churches, cities, and States across the United States to observe
the day with appropriate ceremonies, including activities that—
(A)center around
children, and are free or minimal in cost so as to encourage and facilitate the
participation of all our people;
(B)are positive and
uplifting and that help children express their hopes and dreams;
(C)provide
opportunities for children of all backgrounds to learn about one another’s
cultures and to share ideas;
(D)include all
members of the family, and especially extended and elderly family members, so
as to promote greater communication among the generations within a family,
enabling children to appreciate and benefit from the experiences and wisdom of
their elderly family members;
(E)provide
opportunities for families within a community to get acquainted; and
(F)provide children
with the support they need to develop skills and confidence, and to find the
inner strength—the will and fire of the human spirit—to make their dreams come
true.