[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 47 (Monday, April 21, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E714]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING OUR SIBLINGS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 21, 1997

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the 
establishment of ``Siblings Day,'' a day to honor our sisters and 
brothers for the many ways in which they have enriched our lives. This 
celebration would give us the opportunity to show our appreciation for 
our siblings, much the same way that Mother's Day and Father's Day are 
celebrated.
  Siblings make an important contribution to who we are. Often, when 
our parents are gone, our siblings are our only remaining family. And 
sometimes, as in the case of one of my constituents, Siblings Day will 
help us remember siblings who we have lost at an early age.
  My constituent, Claudia Evart, has been working to promote April 10 
as Siblings Day. This day would mark the birthday of Claudia's sister 
Lisette, who died tragically in 1972 at age 19 in a car accident that 
also killed their father. An additional tragedy struck in 1987, when 
Ms. Evart's older brother, Alan, died in an accident at his home. He 
was 36 years old.
  Ms. Evart has been lobbying for the past year to create a State and 
national siblings day holiday to be celebrated on April 10, her 
sister's birthday. She is working with the U.S. Committee for UNICEF, 
Students Against Drunk Driving, and the Estonian House, a Manhattan-
based organization that celebrates Estonian heritage.
  Siblings are often our first roommate or our first friend. I call on 
the Congress to recognize the importance of family members by 
recognizing the contributions made by our siblings. I applaud the work 
of Claudia Evart, who has created a loving tribute to her deceased 
siblings by her work to establish Siblings Day. Her inspired work 
should serve as a lesson to us all.