[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 56 (Thursday, April 22, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E746]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN RECOGNITION OF CHILDREN'S MEMORIAL DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 22, 1999

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a House Resolution 
supporting the establishment of the fourth Friday in April as 
``Children's Memorial Day.''
  We are all saddened by the tragic shootings at Columbine High School 
in Littleton, Colorado. Unfortunately, violent acts against children 
are occurring with increasing frequency--destroying innocent lives and 
devastating families and communities. In the United States each day, 
five infants and children die from abuse and neglect, and seven teens 
are murdered. In fact, more children lose their lives to criminal 
violence in the United States than in any of the 26 industrialized 
nations of the world. This is unacceptable.
  In Alameda County, California, which I represent, the County Board 
with the hard work and strong dedication of Alameda County Supervisor 
Gail Steele, adopted in 1996 the Children's Memorial Flag Project and 
established a National Children's Memorial Day on the fourth Friday in 
the month of April to remember all of the children who have died by 
violence in our country. The Child Welfare League of America has 
adopted Alameda County's Children's Memorial Flag and promotes it 
nationally. This year we anticipate 20 State Capitol Buildings will fly 
the flag at half-mast, with 13 others memorializing these children by 
other means this Friday, April 23rd.
  We have lost far too many children in violent, preventable deaths, 
through gun violence, fire, automobile accidents, suicide, and physical 
abuse and neglect. From this moment forward, let us approach our work 
in Congress with renewed resolve. It is our responsibility and the 
responsibility of adults everywhere to protect children and to ensure 
that they have a full opportunity to become healthy and productive 
adults. Even one child lost is one child too many.
  I urge my colleagues to cosponsor this resolution and to honor the 
memory of children lost to violence in this country. Let us condemn 
acts of violence committed against the children of our communities and 
pledge to safeguard the welfare of the children in our nation.

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