[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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