[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 285 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 285

Recognizing the important role that fathers play in the lives of their 
     children and families and supporting the goals and ideals of 
              designating 2010 as the Year of the Father.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 10, 2010

    Mrs. McMorris Rodgers (for herself, Mr. Reichert, Mr. Smith of 
 Washington, Mr. Larsen of Washington, and Mr. Hastings of Washington) 
 submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to 
                  the Committee on Education and Labor

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
Recognizing the important role that fathers play in the lives of their 
     children and families and supporting the goals and ideals of 
              designating 2010 as the Year of the Father.

Whereas Father's Day was founded in 1910 by Mrs. John B. Dodd after attending a 
        Mother's Day celebration in 1909 and believing that fathers should 
        receive the same recognition;
Whereas Mrs. John B. Dodd, Sonora Smart Dodd, founded the day in celebration of 
        her father, William Smart;
Whereas William Smart, a Civil War veteran, raised six children on his own after 
        the death of his wife;
Whereas Spokane, Washington, recognized and hosted the first celebration of 
        Father's Day on June 19, 1910;
Whereas in 1924, President Calvin Coolidge recognized Father's Day and urged 
        States to follow suit;
Whereas in 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a proclamation calling for 
        the third Sunday in June to be recognized as Father's Day and requested 
        that flags be flown that day on all government buildings;
Whereas President Richard Nixon signed a proclamation in 1972 permanently 
        observing Father's Day on the third Sunday in June;
Whereas Father's Day is celebrated in over 50 countries around the world;
Whereas there are an estimated 64.3 million fathers around the Nation today;
Whereas it is well documented that children involved with loving fathers are 
        significantly more likely to have healthy self-esteems, exhibit empathy 
        and prosocial behavior, avoid high risk behaviors, have reduced 
        antisocial behavior and delinquency in boys, have better peer 
        relationships, and have higher occupational mobility relative to 
        parents;
Whereas fathers who live with their children are more likely to have a close, 
        enduring relationship with their children than those who do not; and
Whereas the 100th anniversary of Father's Day will be celebrated in Spokane, 
        Washington, on June 20, 2010: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) recognizes the important role that fathers play in the 
        lives of their children and families; and
            (2) supports the goals and ideals of the Year of the 
        Father.
                                 <all>