[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 74 (Wednesday, June 14, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S5119]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 323--DESIGNATING MONDAY, JUNE 19, 2000, AS NATIONAL 
                   EAT-DINNER-WITH-YOUR-CHILDREN DAY

  Mr. BIDEN (for himself, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Jeffords, Mr. Levin, Mr. 
Bryan, Mr. Kennedy, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Moynihan, Mr. Sessions, Mr. 
DeWine, Mr. Helms, Mr. Thurmond, Mr. Schumer, and Mr. Inouye) submited 
the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 323

       Whereas the use of illegal drugs and the abuse of 
     substances such as alcohol and nicotine constitute the single 
     greatest threat to the health and well-being of American 
     children;
       Whereas surveys conducted by the National Center on 
     Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University have 
     found for each of the past 4 years that children and 
     teenagers who routinely eat dinner with their families are 
     far less likely to use illegal drugs, cigarettes, and 
     alcohol;
       Whereas teenagers from families that seldom eat dinner 
     together are 72 percent more likely than the average teenager 
     to use illegal drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol;
       Whereas teenagers from families that eat dinner together 
     are 31 percent less likely than the average teenager to use 
     illegal drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol;
       Whereas the correlation between the frequency of family 
     dinners and the decrease in substance abuse risk is well 
     documented;
       Whereas parental influence is known to be one of the most 
     crucial factors in determining the likelihood of teenage 
     substance abuse; and
       Whereas family dinners have long constituted a substantial 
     pillar of American family life: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,  That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes that eating dinner as a family is a critical 
     step toward raising healthy, drug-free children; and
       (2) designates Monday, June 19, 2000, as National Eat-
     Dinner-With-Your-Children Day.

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