[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 123 (Wednesday, September 16, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10441-S10443]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 278--DESIGNATING THE 30TH DAY OF APRIL OF 1999, AS 
   ``DIA DE LOS NINOS: CELEBRATING YOUNG AMERICANS'', AND FOR OTHER 
                                PURPOSES

  Mr. HATCH (for himself, Mr. Bingaman, Ms. Hutchison, Mr. Daschle, Mr. 
McCain, Ms. Boxer, Mr. Domenici, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Abraham, Mr. Harkin, Mr. 
Bond, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Grassley, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Chafee, Mr. 
Lautenberg, Ms. Mikulski, Ms. Moseley-Braun, and Mr. Reid) submitted 
the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the 
Judiciary.

                              S. Res. 278

       Whereas many of the nations throughout the world, and 
     especially within the Western hemisphere, celebrate ``Dia de 
     los Ninos'' on the 30th of April, in recognition and 
     celebration of their country's future--their children.
       Whereas children represent the hopes and dreams of the 
     citizens of the United States;
       Whereas children are the center of American families;
       Whereas children should be nurtured and invested in to 
     preserve and enhance economic prosperity, democracy, and the 
     American spirit;
       Whereas Latinos in the United States, the youngest and 
     fastest growing ethnic community in the nation, continue the 
     tradition of honoring their children on this day, and wish to 
     share this custom with the rest of the nation;
       Whereas one in four Americans is projected to be of 
     Hispanic descent by the year 2050, and there are now 10.5 
     million Latino children;
       Whereas traditional Latino family life centers largely on 
     its children;
       Whereas the primary teachers of family values, morality, 
     and culture are parents and family members, and we rely on 
     children to pass on these family values, morals, and culture 
     to future generations;
       Whereas more than 500,000 children drop out of school each 
     year and Hispanic dropout rates are unacceptably high;
       Whereas the importance of literacy and education are most 
     often communicated to children through family members;
       Whereas families should be encouraged to engage in family 
     and community activities that include extended and elderly 
     family members and encourage children to explore, develop 
     confidence, and pursue their dreams;
       Whereas the designation of a day to honor the children of 
     the Nation will help affirm for the people of the United 
     States the significance of family, education, and community;
       Whereas the designation of a day of special recognition of 
     children of the United States will provide an opportunity to 
     children to reflect on their future, to articulate their 
     dreams and aspirations, and find comfort and security in the 
     support of their family members and communities;
       Whereas the National Latino Children's Institute, serving 
     as a voice for children, has worked with cities throughout 
     the country to declare April 30 as ``Dia de los Ninos: 
     Celebrating Young Americans''--a day to bring together 
     Latinos and other communities nationwide to celebrate and 
     uplift children;
       Whereas the children of a nation are the responsibility of 
     all its citizens, and citizens should be encouraged to 
     celebrate the gifts of children to society--their curiosity, 
     laughter, faith, energy, spirit, hopes, and dreams: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate designates the 30th of April of 
     1999, as ``Dia de los Ninos: Celebrating Young Americans'' 
     and requests that the President issue a proclamation calling 
     on the people of the Untied States to join with all children, 
     families, organizations, communities, churches, cities, and 
     states across the nation to observe the day with appropriate 
     ceremonies, beginning April 30, 1999, that include:
       (1) Activities that center around children, and are free or 
     minimal in cost so as to encourage and facilitate the 
     participation of all our citizens;
       (2) Activities that are positive, uplifting, and that help 
     children express their hopes and dreams;
       (3) Activities that provide opportunities for children of 
     all backgrounds to learn about one another's cultures and 
     share ideas;
       (4) Activities that include all members of the family, and 
     especially extended and elderly family members, so as to 
     promote greater communication among the generations within a 
     family, enabling children to appreciate and benefit from the 
     experiences and wisdom of their elderly family members;
       (5) Activities that provide opportunities for families 
     within a community to get acquainted; and
       (6) Activities that provide children with the support they 
     need to develop skills and confidence, and find the inner 
     strength--the will and fire of the human spirit--to make 
     their dreams come true.

 Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, today I offer the following 
statement on behalf of myself and my colleagues Kay Bailey Hutchison, 
John McCain, Pete V. Domenici, Spencer Abraham, Christopher S. Bond, 
and Charles E. Grassely. Our purpose is twofold: to join our colleagues 
in recognizing the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, an to submit a 
resolution designating April 30, 1999, as ``Dia de los Ninos: 
Celebrating Young Americans.''
  Since 1968, we have formally recognized and celebrated the tremendous 
contributions of Hispanic Americans to the history, strength, security, 
and development of our great nation. This year, we once again embark on 
this month-long celebration. It is right to honor more than five 
centuries of contributions by Hispanics to the development not only of 
our great nation, but of the Western Hemisphere and the world. It is 
also imperative that we recognize that the health and vitality of the 
Hispanic American community is pivotal to the strength and future of 
this nation.
  Our own experience has shown us that Hispanic Americans are a strong 
and proud people, loyal, patriotic, courageous, and dedicated to their 
families, their country, and their communities. Hispanics have a strong 
work ethic and tremendous faith in the American dream. They have made 
great contributions to the advancement of all people in every area, to 
music, the arts, science, engineering, mathematics, and government.
  I am thrilled to see so many wonderful Hispanic role models help 
light the way for Hispanic youth to attain the American Dream.
  Jaime Escalante, a high school mathematics teacher, has been helping 
an unprecedented number of Hispanic students prepare for and pass 
advanced

[[Page S10442]]

placement tests in calculus. Amalia V. Betanzos, president of an 
alternative high school with tremendous success rates, has helped us 
all see what faith and encouragement can do for the soul. And Abraham 
Chavez, who established the El Paso Symphony, shares his musical talent 
with children on both sides of the U.S. border. Even with limited 
funds, he finds various ways to put instruments into the hands and 
music into the lives of young children.
  Such great recording artists as Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Los Lobos, 
the late Selena, Freddy Fender, and Gloria Estefan have brought joyous 
Latin rhythms into our homes and our hearts. Great authors, like Luis 
Valdez, Victor Villasenor, Nicholasa Mohr, and Luis Rodriguez and great 
screen artists like Andy Garcia, Jimmy Smits, Edward James Olmos, Rita 
Moreno, Martin Sheen, and the late Raul Julia have entertained while 
they inspired us.
  The patriotism and courage of great Americans like Alfred Rascon, who 
immigrated to the United States from Mexico, should also be recognized. 
At age 20, a lawful permanent resident, he volunteered to serve in 
Vietnam. As a paratrooper combat medic, he twice used his own body to 
shield wounded comrades from enemy guns. Severely wounded, he refused 
to be evacuated until all the wounded were safe. He kept working until 
he collapsed, so hurt that a priest at the scene gave him last rites.
  Dr. Antonia Novello, former U.S. Surgeon General, Raul Izaguirre, 
President and CEO of National Council of La Raza, Carmen Zapata, 
director and co-founder of the Bilingual Foundation of the Arts, and 
Astronauts Ellen Oschoa and Franklin Chang Diaz have helped lead the 
way for our children as they enter the 21st century.
  Of course, Sammy Sosa, Rebecca Lobo, Nancy Lopez, ChiChi Rodriguez, 
Pedro Morales, Gigi Fernandez, and Trent Dimas are but seven of the 
many great athletes who have shared with us the pride and success born 
of great sacrifice and a hunger for perfection. We are proud of their 
accomplishments. When they win, all America cheers and shares in their 
victory.
  Most importantly, let us not forget the many, many other Hispanic 
Americans, whose daily contributions often go unrecognized, but whose 
legacy continues to demonstrate the viability of the American dream.
  But for all their contributions to the strength of our nation, many 
Hispanics have not yet fully shared in the dream. The national drop-out 
rate for Hispanics exceeds 30 percent (for non-Hispanics the rate is 11 
percent, and for blacks, the rate is 12 percent), the highest for any 
ethnic group, and their educational attainment levels are among the 
lowest for any ethnic group. Hispanic children are most likely to be 
among America's poor, even though Hispanic males have the highest labor 
participation rates. Hispanics are most likely to lack health insurance 
and access to regular health care, yet suffer disproportionately from 
certain diseases. We must do better.
  As the youngest and fastest growing minority community in the nation, 
Hispanics must share equally in the benefits and opportunities of this 
great nation, so that our country grows stronger and can better compete 
in global markets. Indeed, by 2050, according to the latest census 
projections, one in four Americans will be of Hispanic descent. One 
thing is clear, the health and vitality of this nation depends in large 
part on the degree to which Hispanic Americans are prepared to meet the 
global market demands of the next century.
  For this reason, in 1987, Senator John Chafee and Orrin G. Hatch 
established the U.S. Senate Republican Conference Task Force on 
Hispanic Affairs, which now numbers 27 senators. The task force 
provides a unique forum for Hispanic leaders to raise awareness and 
support on the national level for key issues facing the Hispanic 
community in the areas of education, economic development, employment 
and health. The task force is aided by a bipartisan, volunteer advisory 
committee, for whose service we are very grateful. We acknowledge their 
tremendous contributions, commitment, and dedication to this effort. We 
thank each of the members publicly for they are truly great Americans.
  It was with their help and guidance this Congress that we were able 
to make small advances in addressing the needs of the Hispanic 
community, including providing access to health insurance to large 
numbers of children in poverty, making changes to the Higher Education 
Reauthorization Act, and supporting increased appropriations to 
strengthen institutions that provide higher education to low income and 
disadvantaged students, and reforming job training programs to better 
serve the latino community. We were also able to establish a federal 
charter for the American GI Forum, a national Hispanic Veterans 
organization. Indeed, we owe no small debt of gratitude to the men and 
women who have sacrificed and continue to sacrifice daily to preserve 
our freedoms and democratic government. Hispanic Americans are very 
proud of their record of military service--the highest number of medals 
of honor earned per capital for any ethnic community.
  Additionally, we submitted an ``English Plus'' Resolution, 
encouraging citizens to master not only the English language, but other 
foreign languages. Enhancing our linguistic abilities will make for a 
more skilled and competitive labor force, and improve our 
communications. We hope to be able to pass the resolution before the 
end of the Congress.
  It was our Advisory Committee that recommended we join the National 
Latino Children's Institute in calling upon the nation to designate 
April 30, 1999, as ``Dia de los Ninos: Celebrating Young Americans''--a 
recommendation with which we wholeheartedly concurred.
  In contributing to the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, we 
think it is most fitting to introduce a resolution calling on the 
citizens of our great nation to join with other nations of the world, 
and especially those of the western hemisphere in setting a day aside 
to honor our children. Much in the same way that we celebrate Mother's 
Day and Father's Day, we urge the American people to set aside a day to 
uplift children, to encourage them to dream, and help them to acquire 
the skills necessary to make those dreams come true. It is a custom 
throughout Latin America to celebrate ``Dia de los Ninos'' on the 30th 
of April each year. Let us share in this tradition.
  Indeed, if we take time to listen, to encourage children to read, to 
stay in school, to dream, to plan and work hard to achieve their 
dreams, then America's future is guaranteed to be brighter. Latinos 
have made great strides, and they continue to progress. They have 
joined the ranks of public officials, managers, CEOs and presidents of 
corporations, teachers, doctors, lawyers, and congressmen. But there is 
much yet to be done. Let us take pride in the contributions of 
Hispanics to the history of this nation, let us recognize their gifts 
to America--their patriotism, devotion to family, love of God, and 
faith in the American dream--and let us invest in the dreams of their 
children. Let us extend Hispanic Heritage Month to include a day to 
honor and celebrate the gifts of all of the nation's children, a day in 
which we devote ourselves to uplifting and encouraging them to pursue 
their dreams. We invite our colleagues to join us as co-sponsors of 
this worthy resolution designating April 30, 1999, ``Dia de los Ninos: 
Celebrating Young Americans.''
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the names of the 
volunteer advisory committee be printed in the Record, in recognition 
of their contributions.
  there being no objection, the names were ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

   United States Senate Republican Conference Task Force on Hispanic 
               Affairs--105th Congress Advisory Committee

       The Members of the U.S. Senate Republican Conference Task 
     Force on Hispanic Affairs wish to record their high esteem, 
     gratitude and appreciation for the members of the advisory 
     committee to the task force (listed below), for their 
     expertise, hard work, and dedication to assisting task force 
     Senators in better meeting the needs of the nation's Latino 
     community.
       Loretta Adams; Antonio Amador; George Antuna; Rodolfo 
     Arredondo, Jr.; Patricia Asip; Zulma X. Barrios; Richard 
     Bela; Philip Vincent Bernal; Rudy M. Beserra; Victor G. 
     Cabral; Lorenzo Cervantes; Roxana Chahin; Adam Chavarria; Ana 
     Colomar-O'Brien; Elaine Coronado; Mariam Cruz; Rafael Davila; 
     Chris Diaz; Guarione Diaz; Rita

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     DiMartino; Ingrid Duran; Alma Rojas Esparza; Rafael Franchi; 
     Tony Gallegos; Jane C. Garcia; Rafael Garcia; President; San 
     F. Garza; Mary George; Steve John Gonzalez; Arthur Granado; 
     Sheila Guaderas; Carmen Hansen-Rivera; Alida Hernandez; Farah 
     Jimenez; Ed Juarez; Ben Lopez; Mimi Lozano Holtzman; Raymond 
     Lozano; Herminio A. Martinez; J.V. Martinez; Julian Martinez; 
     Kenneth A. Martinez; Robert Martinez.
       Zaida L. Martinez, Ph.D.; Teresa McBride; John Medina; 
     Denise Mendoza; Mike Montelongo; Velma Montoya, Ph.D.; 
     Dionicio Morales; Isreal Moran; Emma Moreno; Pete Moreno; 
     Anna Muller; Alfonso J. Perez; John Perez; Juan Perez; Jaime 
     Ramon; Grace Ramos; Jorge Ramos; Salvador Ramos; Ramon E. 
     Rasco; Ana Rivas-Beck; Jose Rivera; Nena Robreno; Ana 
     Rodriguez de Sanchez; Edwin A. Rodriguez; Eric Rodriguez; 
     Fred Rodriguez; M.J. Rodriguez; Marcos ``Mark'' Rodriguez; 
     Mark Rodriguez; Rene F. Rodriguez; Rose Marie Rodriguez; 
     Nelson Roman; Phil Roman; Margo Salazar; Celia M. Salomons; 
     Orlando Sanchez; Angelica Santacruz; Marta Sotomayor; Thomas 
     Tewksbury; Esteban Torres; Joyce Valdez; Diana M. Valverde; 
     Selso Vargas; Octavio J. Viveros, Jr.; Sofia Garcia-Conde 
     Zuckerman.

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