[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 48 (Tuesday, April 25, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S2874]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 296--DESIGNATING THE FIRST SUNDAY IN JUNE OF EACH 
               CALENDAR YEAR AS ``NATIONAL CHILD'S DAY''

  By Mr. GRAHAM (for himself, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Byrd, Mr. 
Specter, Mr. Conrad, Mr. Thurmond, Mr. Dorgan, Mr. Voinovich, Mr. 
Durbin, Mr. Bond, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Craig, Mr. Kohl, Mr. Warner, Mr. 
Rockefeller, Mr. Abraham, Mr. Sarbanes, Mr. Enzi, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Lugar, 
Mr. Smith of Oregon, Mr. Cleland, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Bingaman, Ms. 
Landrieu, Mr. Grams, Mr. Bayh, Mr. Mack, Mr. Bryan, Mr. Reid, Mr. 
Johnson, Mrs. Lincoln, Mrs. Murray, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Liberman, Mrs. 
Boxer, and Mr. Wellstone) submitted the following resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 296

       Whereas the first Sunday of June falls between Mother's Day 
     and Father's Day;
       Whereas each child is unique, a blessing, and holds a 
     distinct place in the family unit;
       Whereas the people of the United States should celebrate 
     children as the most valuable asset of the United States;
       Whereas the 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, whenever practicable, it is important for both 
     parents to be involved in their child's life;
       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 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 people of the United States should emphasize to 
     children the importance of family life, education, and 
     spiritual qualities;
       Whereas because children are the responsibility of all 
     people of the United States, everyone should celebrate 
     children, whose questions, laughter, and dreams are important 
     to the existence of the United States; and
       Whereas the designation of a day to commemorate the 
     children will emphasize to the people of the United States 
     the importance of the role of the child within the family and 
     society: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates the first Sunday in June of each year as 
     ``National Child's Day''; and
       (2) requests the President to issue a proclamation calling 
     on the people of the United States to observe the day with 
     appropriate ceremonies and activities.

  Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to submit a resolution that 
designates the first Sunday in June as National Child's Day.
  Our children are our future. I believe that most of my colleagues 
would agree that our children are, indeed, this nation's most precious 
resource--a resource that should be cherished and protected.
  Sadly, Mr. President, over five million of America's children go to 
bed hungry at night.
  In the last ten years there has been a 60 percent increase in the 
number of children in or in need of foster care services.
  Many children in America face crises of grave proportions, especially 
as they enter their adolescent years.
  We must make a commitment to reverse these trends. We must take the 
initiative to make each child in this nation a child who is loved, 
cared for and appreciated for his or herself.
  The establishment of a National Child's Day will give all of us the 
unique opportunity to focus on our children's needs and to recognize 
their accomplishments.
  National Child's Day will encourage families to spend more quality 
time together and will highlight the special importance of the child in 
the family unit.
  This simple, yet important, resolution will foster family 
togetherness and ensure that our children receive all of the love, 
support, and attention that they deserve.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in establishing National Child's Day 
this year and for years to come.

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