[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 556 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 556

Recognizing the important role that fathers play in the lives of their 
    children and families and designating 2010 as ``The Year of the 
                               Father''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 16, 2010

  Mrs. Murray (for herself, Mr. Bond, and Ms. Cantwell) submitted the 
   following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the 
                               Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Recognizing the important role that fathers play in the lives of their 
    children and families and designating 2010 as ``The Year of the 
                               Father''.

Whereas Father's Day was founded in 1910 by Mrs. John B. Dodd, Sonora Smart 
        Dodd, after attending a Mother's Day celebration in 1909 and believing 
        that fathers should receive the same recognition;
Whereas Mrs. Dodd founded the day in celebration of her father, William Smart;
Whereas William Smart, a Civil War veteran, raised 6 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 64,000,000 fathers in the United States;
Whereas it is well documented that children involved with loving fathers are 
        significantly more likely to have healthy self-esteems, exhibit empathy 
        and pro-social behavior, avoid high risk behaviors, reduce anti-social 
        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 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, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes the important role that fathers play in the 
        lives of their children and families; and
            (2) designates 2010 as ``The Year of the Father''.
                                 <all>