[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 27 (Friday, March 11, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[Congressional Record: March 11, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
RECOGNITION OF PARENTS DAY
Mr. WYNN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on
Post Office and Civil Service be discharged from further consideration
of the resolution (H. Res. 236) to declare that July 28, 1994, be
recognized as Parents Day, and ask for its immediate consideration.
{time} 1500
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Johnson of South Dakota). Is there
objection to the request of the gentleman from Maryland?
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, I do not
object, but would simply like to inform the House the minority has no
objection to the legislation now being considered.
Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
Mr. GILMAN. I yield to the gentleman from Indiana.
Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, the
gentleman from New York [Mr. Gilman] for yielding to me.
Normally I would not read a resolution. This is very short, but I
think it is very, very important. I would like to read it for my
colleagues.
Mr. Speaker, this is ``To declare that July 28, 1994, be recognized
as Parents Day.
Whereas the values of sacrificial love and integrity are
fundamental in developing the moral character essential to
maintaining a strong nation;
Whereas parents by their example of sacrificial love and
the transmission of moral and cultural values play a crucial
and determinant role in the development of youth;
Whereas time has demonstrated that the traditional American
family is the most stable and secure environment in which
parents can successfully rear future generations;
Whereas the current breakdown of the traditional American
family is a major factor contributing to the rise of crime,
teen pregnancy, educational failure, substance abuse, and
suicide among our Nation's youth;
Whereas it is in the interest of society and government to
adopt policies, that help families stay together by
strengthening and sustaining fathers and mothers in
fulfilling their parental roles: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That on Parents Day, July 28, 1994, all private
citizens, organizations and governmental and legislative
bodies at the local, State and Federal level are encouraged
to recognize this day through proclamations, activities and
educational efforts in the furtherance of recognizing,
uplifting and supporting the role of parents in the rearing
of their children.
Mr. Speaker, this proposal was brought to my attention by the
National Parent's Day Coalition, and it is a bipartisan, multiracial
organization consisting of ministers and lay people from across this
country who are very concerned about the deterioration of the moral
fiber of this country and the deterioration of the family.
Among those who are cochairmen is a former colleague of ours, the
Honorable Walter Fauntroy, who represented the District of Columbia in
the Congress, and he is now a pastor here in Washington; Dr. Robert G.
Grant, who is a national cochairman; Dr. D. James Kennedy, also a great
theologian; Dr. Joseph Lowery; Dr. Cecil Murray; and a former colleague
of ours, the Honorable Bob Wilson.
Mr. Speaker, I just want to commend them and all the other people who
have been active in this organization for their efforts to try to bring
to the attention of the American people and governmental units across
this country the importance of preserving and furthering the values we
all hold so dear that made this country what it is today.
Above the lectern it says, ``In God We Trust.'' Sometimes I wonder if
that is sometimes still our theme, because of the way our country is
headed.
This National Parent's Day coalition is going to try to put moral
values and religious principles back into the families, to perpetuate
the way the family is, to let the country know how important the family
is, and to give parents a pat on the back for the hard work they have
put forth in raising children in a very difficult period in our
country's history.
With that, Mr. Speaker, I just want to thank my colleague for
yielding, and thank my colleague on the other side of the aisle for his
support on this resolution, as well.
Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record this letter urging
cosponsorship of National Parent's Day:
National Parent's Day Coalition,
Tantallon, MD, October 21, 1993.
Hon. Phil Crane,
U.S. House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
Dear Congressman Crane: I am writing you on behalf of the
Co-Chairmen of the National Parent's Day Coalition who join
with me in urging you to cosponsor H. Res. 236, a resolution
introduced by Rep. Dan Burton to proclaim July 28, 1994 as
Parent's Day (copy enclosed). In addition to myself, the
other Co-Chairmen of our coalition are Dr. Cecil Murray,
Pastor of the First AME Church of Los Angeles, Dr. D. James
Kennedy, Pastor of Coral Ridge Ministries, Dr. Joseph Lowery,
President of the SCLC, and former representatives Bob Wilson
(R-CA) and Walter Fauntroy (D-DC). We are a bipartisan,
multiracial and interfaith coalition with members in all 50
states.
As we build toward implementing many activities and events
to coincide with Parent's Day, we will be sure to prominently
mention your name as a key cosponsor of this resolution. Your
support and leadership in this endeavor will be greatly
appreciated by our many supporters in your district.
Already, more than 42 Democrats and Republicans have agreed
to cosponsor H. Res. 236 (see enclosed list). We hope you
will join with your colleagues in adding your name to this
important resolution.
I understand that a number of your constituents have
already written to you in support of this. In the near
future, one of our coalition's volunteer coordinators will
contact your office to follow up on the above request. We
look forward to your joining with us in support of this
endeavor to recognize and support parents.
Thanking you in advance for your thoughtful consideration
of the above and wishing you God's richest blessings,
I remain,
Robert G. Grant, Ph.D.,
National Co-Chairman.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, further reserving the right to object, I
rise in strong support of this resolution. I commend the gentleman from
Indiana [Mr. Burton] for bringing this measure to the floor.
Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Maryland?
There was no objection.
The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:
H. Res. 236
Whereas the values of sacrificial love and integrity are
fundamental in developing the moral character essential to
maintaining a strong Nation;
Whereas parents by their example of sacrificial love and
the transmission of moral and cultural values play a crucial
and determinant role in the development of youth;
Whereas time has demonstrated that the traditional American
family is the most stable and secure environment in which
parents can successfully rear future generations;
Whereas the current breakdown of the traditional American
family is a major factor contributing to the rise of crime,
teen pregnancy, educational failure, substance abuse, and
suicide among our Nation's youth; and
Whereas it is in the interest of society and government to
adopt policies, that help families stay together by
strengthening and sustaining fathers and mothers in
fulfilling their parental roles: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That on Parents Day, July 28, 1994, all private
citizens, organizations and governmental and legislative
bodies at the local, State and Federal level are encouraged
to recognize this day through proclamations, activities and
educational efforts in the furtherance of recognizing,
uplifting and supporting the role of parents in the rearing
of their children.
The resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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