[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 76 (Thursday, June 16, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                CELEBRATING THE DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILD

 Mr. MOYNIHAN. Mr. President, 18 years ago today innocent 
schoolchildren were massacred in a terrible tragedy which occurred in 
Soweto, South Africa. In their memory, we observe the Day of the 
African Child every year on this date. Blessedly, apartheid has been 
replaced by democracy in South Africa. The votes of those oppressed by 
decades of repugnant racial segregation will propel South Africa into a 
new era of political participation and racial equality. At long last 
there is hope that the horrors such as the Soweto massacre will no 
longer terrorize South Africa.
  As we celebrate the Day of the African Child, we should reflect on 
ways to ensure that all children in Africa will enjoy a brighter future 
than has been the case in the past. This is important, for children 
under 15 years of age are not an insignificant portion--over 45 
percent--of the population of Sub-Saharan Africa. Progress has been 
made. We can applaud rising life expectancy and decreasing infant 
mortality rates while encouraging continued efforts to improve the 
quality of life of Africa's children.

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