III 112th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 432 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 24 (legislative day, April 23), 2012 Mr. Menendez (for himself, Mr. Reid, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Casey, and Mr. Lautenberg) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Designating April 30, 2012, as Día de los Niños: Celebrating Young Americans.

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 and children are the center of families in the United States; Whereas the people of the United States should nurture and invest in children to preserve and enhance economic prosperity, democracy, and the American spirit; Whereas according to the 2010 Census report, there are more than 50,000,000 individuals of Hispanic descent living in the United States, more than 17,000,000 of those are children; Whereas Hispanics in the United States, the youngest and fastest growing ethnic community in the Nation, continue the tradition of honoring their children on Día de los Niños, and wish to share this custom with the rest of the Nation; Whereas the primary teachers of family values, morality, and culture are parents and family members, and we rely on children to pass on family values, morals, and culture to future generations; 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 that encourage children to explore and develop confidence; 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 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 Nation to declare April 30, 2012, to be 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 of its people, and people should be encouraged to celebrate the gifts of children to society: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1)designates April 30, 2012, 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 Nation 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 people; (B)are positive and uplifting, and 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, 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 and the will and fire of the human spirit to make their dreams come true.