[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 140 (Friday, September 30, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 30, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]


                              {time}  1600
 
                         NATIONAL GOOD TEEN DAY

  Mrs. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee 
on Post Office and Civil Service be discharged from further 
consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 326) designating 
January 16, 1995, as ``National Good Teen Day,'' and ask for its 
immediate consideration.
  The Clerk read the title of the joint resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. (Mr. Guteirrez). Is there objection to the 
request of the gentlewoman from Virginia?
  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, I do not 
object, but I would simply like to inform the House that the Minority 
has no objection to the legislation now being considered.
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.J. Res. 326, 
designating January 16, 1995, as ``National Good Teen Day.''
  I introduced this bill earlier this year because I believe that a 
national day should be created to focus on the positive qualities in 
America's Youth. For the past 2 years Presidents Clinton and Bush have 
signed this initiative into law, officially decreeing January 16, 1993, 
and January 16, 1994, as ``National Good Teen Day.'' In fact, in his 
proclamation observing this important day, President Clinton remarked. 
``We are justifiably proud of American teens. They deserve our 
recognition and appreciation, and it is fitting to honor them.''
  Mr. Speaker, the concept of a ``Good Teen Day'' was created by Mr. 
Robert Viencek, an instructor of English at Salem, (OH), High School in 
my congressional district. He selected January 16 as ``Good Teen Day'' 
because, in part, Abraham Lincoln, our 16th President, was quoted as 
saying, ``When you look for the good in man, you'll always find it.'' 
Viencek also notes that the 16th is `` . . . a special year in the 
lives of teenagers, as it is the age when many young people start to 
drive and start to work. It is also the middle date of the seven teen 
years--13 to 19.''
  Since 1992, the Salem City Schools, the city of Salem and the Ohio 
House of Representatives have all helped to expand Mr. Viencek's vision 
by declaring ``Good Teen Day'' on the local and State level. ``National 
Good Teen'' appropriately caps this steady progression.
  Mr. Speaker, America's 24 million teenagers are the future of this 
great country and they deserve to be recognized. ``National Good Teen 
Day'' is a step in this direction.
  Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Virginia?
  There was no objection.
  The Clerk read the joint resolution, as follows:

                             H.J. Res. 326

       Whereas Salem City Schools in Salem, Ohio, have proclaimed 
     January 16, 1992, as ``Good Teen Day'';
       Whereas both the United States Congress and the President 
     of the United States have proclaimed January 16, 1993, and 
     January 16, 1994, as ``National Good Teen Day'';
       Whereas there are more than twenty-four million teenagers 
     in the United States according to the 1990 census;
       Whereas our Nation's teenager represent an important part 
     of our society, and the many physical and emotional changes 
     and character-building experiences which teenagers go through 
     are an important concern;
       Whereas it is easy to stereotype teenagers as either those 
     who have problems or those who excel;
       Whereas teenagers should not simply be recognized for their 
     intelligence, abilities, skills and talents, but rather for 
     the good which is inherent in all human beings;
       Whereas as unique individuals, teenagers are encouraged to 
     esteem the good as well as the potential that is within each 
     of them;
       Whereas a day should be created to focus on the positive 
     qualities in America's youth; and
       Whereas teenagers are the future of this great country: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
     United States of America in Congress assembled, That January 
     16, 1995, is designated ``National Good Teen Day,'' and the 
     President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation 
     calling on the people of the United States to observe such 
     day by recognizing the teenagers of the United States and by 
     participating in appropriate ceremonies and activities.
  The joint resolution was ordered to be engrossed and read a third 
time, was read the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider 
was laid on the table.

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