[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 60 (Thursday, April 29, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S4467]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 90--DESIGNATING THE 30TH DAY OF APRIL 2000 AS ``DIA 
              DE LOS NINOS: CELEBRATING YOUNG AMERICANS''

  Mr. HATCH (for himself, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. McCain, Mr. Reid, Mr. 
Domenici, Mr. Lautenberg, Mr. Abraham, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Bond, Mrs. 
Murray, and Mrs. Hutchison) submitted the following resolutions; which 
was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                               S. Res. 90

       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 more 
     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 curiousity, 
     laughter, faith, energy, spirit, hopes, and dreams: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate designates the 30th of April of 
     2000, as ``Dia de los Ninos: Celebrating Young Americans'' 
     and requests that the President issue a proclamation calling 
     on the people of the United 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, 2000, 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, I am very pleased to announce my submission 
of a Senate resolution, together with other members of the U.S. Senate 
Republican Conference Task Force on Hispanic Affairs and the Senate 
Democrat Working Group on Hispanic Issues, to designate April 30, 2000, 
as Dia de los Ninos: Celebrating Young Americans.
  Last Congress, the resolution to designate April 30, 1999, as a day 
to celebrate young Americans passed with overwhelming bipartisan 
support. As a result, cities and towns throughout the country will host 
community events to celebrate the nation's children throughout this 
week.
  In fact, in my home state of Utah a very special celebration is 
planned. Tomorrow, in Salt Lake City, on Dia de los Ninos: Dia de Los 
Libros [Day of the Children: Day of Books], we will dedicate the first 
Americas Award Reference and Resource Library to be established at the 
Centro de la Familia Center. This unique library will house over 1,500 
books and will form the central part of a literacy program aimed at 
encouraging children and young adults to explore the written world by 
reading books that authentically and engagingly present the experience 
of individuals in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Latinos in the 
United States. These wonderful stories will help children learn to 
read, to expand their universe and dreams, to develop a better 
understanding of the history of the Americas, and to enhance their own 
self-esteem.
  Our children are our greatest promise for the preservation and 
betterment of this country's healthy and competitive global edge. As 
leaders and purveyors of hope for a better America, we must continue to 
nurture their development and potential through innovative programs and 
discussions that encourage and challenge them to become the prime 
movers and guardians of investments made thus far.
  Children's days are celebrated in many other nations, including Japan 
and Korea on May 5, Canada on November 20, Turkey on April 23, and 
Mexico on April 30. Local coalitions have formed in 17 states to 
realize Dia de los Ninos: Celebrating Young Americans as a special day 
for all children throughout this country.
  I think it is imperative, especially now given the recent tragedy of 
Columbine, Colorado, that we celebrate, honor, and encourage our youth, 
in much the same way we honor parents during Mother's Day or Father's 
Day. Our purpose is strictly to uplift children.

  There are no easy solutions for the challenges that face our modern 
day society. But I do know that we need to make and take the time to 
listen, to support, to observe, and to accept responsibility as parents 
for raising children prepared to meet the challenge of living in a 
complex multicultural society--a society that bestows freedom on its 
citizens predicated on the acceptance of basic moral values. I believe 
that calling upon the nation to set aside a day for that purpose can be 
an important step in building awareness among adults that our children 
need parental love, care, and guidance. They need positive role 
models--coaches, teachers, employers--as well as from the entertainment 
industry and professional sports. They need to know there is 
satisfaction in doing their best, honor in doing the right things, and 
consequences for doing the wrong thing.
  A day to reflect on what we are teaching our children and the 
cultural legacy we are leaving them could very well be a turning point 
for our country. It is my hope that when the sun goes down tomorrow 
evening we will have rededicated ourselves to this most important 
purpose of all--to nurture our children.

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