[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 105 (Thursday, July 30, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S9453]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     SENATE RESOLUTION 260--DESIGNATING ``NATIONAL CHILDREN'S DAY''

  Mr. GRAHAM (for himself, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Dorgan, Mr. Sarbanes, Mr. 
Levin, Mr. Moynihan, Mr. Byrd, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Lautenberg, Mr. 
Durbin, Mrs. Boxer, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Kohl, Ms. Mikulski, Ms. Moseley-
Braun, Mr. DeWine, Mr. Faircloth, Mr. Specter, Mr. Bond, and Mr. 
Cochran) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 260

       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 and 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 
     and 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--
       (1) it is the sense of the Senate that October 11, 1998, 
     should be designated as ``National Children's Day''; and
       (2) the President is requested to issue a proclamation 
     calling upon the people of the United States to observe 
     ``National Children's Day'' with appropriate ceremonies and 
     activities.

 Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. President, today I submit a resolution that 
designated October 11, 1998 as National Children's Day.
  Our children are our future. Over 5 million children, however, go 
hungry at some point each month. There has been a 60 percent increase 
in the number of children needing foster care in the last 10 years. 
Many children today face crises of grave proportions, especially as 
they enter their adolescent years.
  The establishment of a National Children's Day would help us focus on 
our children's needs and recognize their accomplishments. It would 
encourage families to spend more quality time together and highlight 
the special importance of the child in the family unit.
  It is important that we show our support for the youth of America. 
This simple resolution will foster family togetherness and ensure that 
our children receive the attention they deserve.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in establishing National Children's 
Day.

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