[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 154 (Friday, September 29, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S14797]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                DESIGNATING ``NATIONAL CHILDREN'S DAY''

  Mr. COATS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed 
to the immediate consideration of Senate Resolution 178, submitted 
earlier today by Senator Pressler.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 178) designating the second Sunday in 
     October of 1995 as National Children's Day.

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate 
consideration of the resolution?
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, all parents understand the pride and joy 
we have in our children. They are the apple of our eyes, our most 
precious resource, our future, and our hope. Today I rise with many of 
my colleagues to submit a bipartisan resolution declaring the second 
Sunday in October, ``National Children's Day.'' National Children's Day 
is about hope--the hopes we have for children and the hope they should 
have for themselves.
  We live in a rapidly changing world--a world of difficulties and 
uncertainties for many children. Many children growing up today must 
overcome tremendous obstacles and challenges, such as drug and alcohol 
abuse, illiteracy, poverty, pregnancy, physical abuse, absentee 
parents, and neighborhood violence. How does the future appear for 
children who do not have a supportive, nurturing environment? To some, 
the future is uncertain and dark. According to the Children's Defense 
Fund, 15.7 million children lived in poverty in 1993 and every 98 
minutes a child was killed in 1992.
  Children need nurturing, guidance, time, understanding and the 
reassurance of a childhood and hope in their future. The fortunate 
children receive all the love and support they need. However, many 
children do not receive the appreciation they deserve. Children are our 
most precious human resource, for they hold our future in their hands, 
hearts, and minds.
  Mr. President, you may be interested to learn that the first 
Children's Day was celebrated on the second Sunday in October 46 years 
ago on the campus of Notre Dame University. Dr. Patrick McCusker and 
his wife Mary decided to honor not only their children but children 
throughout the country. This year marks the 6th year a Senate 
resolution has commemorated this traditional day.
  The intent of National Children's Day has not changed. National 
Children's Day assures children, as a Nation, that we will be here for 
them. As a Nation, we will try our best to provide for them, look out 
for them, and to give them the best our Nation can. National Children's 
Day reaffirms, that we will keep our children in mind. National 
Children's Day is a celebration of America's hope in the children of 
today and tomorrow.
  Mr. COATS. I ask unanimous consent the resolution be agreed to, the 
preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, 
and that any statements relating to the resolution appear at the 
appropriate place in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 178) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 178

       Whereas the people of the United States should celebrate 
     children as the most valuable asset of the Nation;
       Whereas the 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 United States: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate designates the second Sunday in 
     October of 1995 as ``National Children's Day'' and requests 
     that the President issue a proclamation calling on the people 
     of the United States to observe the day with appropriate 
     ceremonies and activities.

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