[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]

 
                        NATIONAL CHILDREN'S 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. 389) to designate the 
second Sunday in October 1994 as ``National Children's Day.''
  The Clerk read the title of the joint resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. 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. KENNEDY. Mr. Speaker, it seems that every time we turn on the 
television, every time we turn up the radio, every time we read a 
newspaper or magazine we see and hear yet another story about another 
young person lost to the endless and hopeless cycle of violence, 
poverty, drugs, and despair.
  Yet we rarely take the time to focus on the American youth across our 
great Nation who are making strides, both large and small, toward 
improving their communities, crossing racial boundaries, beating back 
the plague of violence and dangerous behavior that sometimes threaten 
to overwhelm, and moving ahead toward knowledge, understanding, and 
achievement.
  There are young people out there, children and teenagers, who are 
doing their part to create and preserve a safe and successful future 
for themselves. They deserve our recognition and support. That is why 
this year, for the fifth consecutive year, I am introducing a bill to 
remember these children by celebrating them with National Children's 
Day 1994 on October 9, the second Sunday of October.
  National Children's Day is a time to honor America's young people, 
celebrate their many triumphs, listen to their hopes and concerns, and 
reflect for a moment on the world they are living in and the world we 
are leaving them.
  By establishing a National Children's Day, we will set aside 1 day a 
year, in the tradition of Mother's Day and Father's Day, on which we 
can honor our children. During this day all children will be held up 
for recognition because of their contributions to their family and 
their community and because we, as a nation, recognize that they are 
our greatest natural resource. Americans everywhere can take this day 
to spend time with their children. Those who don't have children of 
their own can go to a park or take a bike ride with a neighbor's kid, 
or a nephew or niece.
  This is also a day for communities and cities and States to recognize 
the accomplishments of children. It is a time for us to take a closer 
look at how children are living in America.
  I recently learned of a tale of hope--evidence of the genuine good 
being achieved right now by our youth--that I want to share. A young 
girl from San Antonio, TX was a gang member by age 13 and rose to 
leadership within the gang war community. But the constant violence and 
destruction drove her from being a gang leader to becoming a leader in 
her community, advocating peace and working actively through the gang 
peace summits to help people across the country understand urban 
hardships and the hope to overcome them. And she is not alone among 
American youth who are trying to protect their future.
  The ultimate goal of National Children's Day is to encourage 
celebratory activities in every community across the country. State and 
municipal governments, school groups, youth groups and national 
organizations like the Child Welfare League of America, the National 
Parent-Teacher Association, the 4-H clubs, and boys and girls clubs are 
planning and participating in events to celebrate this day. We 
commemorate National Children's Day in the hope that every city and 
town will find its own way to honor its young people.
  America's youth look to us for leadership and strength, look to us 
for welcoming, look to us for support. To turn away from America's 
children, to give up hope on America's children is to turn our backs on 
America's future. Please show your support by voting to continue to 
celebrate our children with National Children's Day 1994.
  Mr. PORTER. 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. 389

       Whereas the people of the United States should celebrate 
     children as the most valuable asset of the Nation;
       Whereas children represent the future, hope, and 
     inspiration of the United States;
       Whereas the children of the United States should be allowed 
     to feel that their ideas and dreams will be respected because 
     adults in the United States take time to listen;
       Whereas many children of the United States face crises of 
     grave proportions, especially as they enter adolescent years;
       Whereas it is important for parents to spend time listening 
     to their children on a daily basis;
       Whereas modern societal and economic demands often pull the 
     family apart;
       Whereas encouragement should be given to families to set 
     aside a special time for all family members to engage 
     together in family activities;
       Whereas adults in the United States should have an 
     opportunity to reminisce on their youth to recapture some of 
     the fresh insight, innocence, and dreams that they may have 
     lost through the years;
       Whereas the designation of a day to commemorate the 
     children of the United States will provide an opportunity to 
     emphasize to children the importance of developing an ability 
     to make the choices necessary to distance themselves from 
     impropriety and to contribute to their communities;
       Whereas the designation of a day to commemorate the 
     children of the Nation will emphasize to the people of the 
     United States the importance of the role of the child within 
     the family and society;
       Whereas the people of the United States should emphasize to 
     children the importance of family life, education, and 
     spiritual qualities; and
       Whereas children are the responsibility of all Americans, 
     thus everyone should celebrate the children of the United 
     States, whose questions, laughter, and tears are important to 
     the existence of the Untied States: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
     United States of America in Congress assembled, That the 
     second Sunday in October of 1994 is designated as ``National 
     Children's Day'', and the President of the United States is 
     authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon 
     the people of the United States to observe the day with 
     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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