[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 96 (Friday, July 21, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7454-S7455]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 340--DESIGNATING DECEMBER 10, 2000, AS ``NATIONAL 
                       CHILDREN'S MEMORIAL DAY''

  Mr. REID (for himself, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Abraham, Mr. Akaka, Mr. 
Baucus, Mr. Bayh, Mr. Bennett, Mr. Bryan, Mr. Cleland, Mr. Cochran, Mr. 
Craig, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Dorgan, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Helms, Mr. Hollings, 
Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Kerrey, Mr. Kohl, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. 
Lautenberg, Mrs. Lincoln, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Robb, Mr. Sarbanes, and Mr. 
Voinovich) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 340

       Whereas approximately 80,000 infants, children, teenagers, 
     and young adults of families living throughout the United 
     States die each year from myriad causes;
       Whereas the death of an infant, child, teenager, or young 
     adult of a family is considered to be 1 of the greatest 
     tragedies that a parent or family will ever endure during a 
     lifetime; and
       Whereas a supportive environment and empathy and 
     understanding are considered critical factors in the healing 
     process of a family that is coping with and recovering from 
     the loss of a loved one: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,

     SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF NATIONAL CHILDREN'S MEMORIAL DAY.

       The Senate--
       (1) designates December 10, 2000, as ``National Children's 
     Memorial Day''; and
       (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
     calling upon the people of the United States to observe the 
     day with appropriate ceremonies and activities in remembrance 
     of the many infants, children, teenagers, and young adults of 
     families in the United States who have died.

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise today to submit a Senate resolution 
which would designate December 10, 2000 as ``National Children's 
Memorial Day.'' I am pleased that Senators Edwards, Abraham, Akaka, 
Baucus, Bayh, Bennett, Bryan, Cleland, Cochran, Craig, Dodd, Dorgan, 
Feinstein, Helms, Hollings, Inhofe, Johnson, Kerrey, Kohl, Landrieu, 
Lautenberg, Lincoln, Murray, Robb, Sarbanes, and Voinovich are joining 
me as original cosponsors. The resolution would set aside this day to 
remember all the children who die in the United States each year. While 
I realize the families of these children deal with the grief of their 
loss every day, I would like to commemorate the lives of these children 
with a special day as well.
  If passed, this will be the third consecutive year we will have 
designated the second Sunday in December as ``National Children's 
Memorial Day.'' I have had many constituents share their heart-
wrenching stories with me about the death of their son or daughter. I 
have heard heroic stories of kids battling cancer or diabetes, and 
tragic stories of car accidents and drownings. Each of these families 
has had their own experience, but they must all continue with their 
lives and deal with the incredible pain of losing a child.
  The death of a child at any age is a shattering experience for a 
family. By establishing a day to remember children that have passed 
away, bereaved families from all over the country will be encouraged 
and supported in the positive resolution of their grief. It is 
important to families who have suffered such a loss to know that they 
are

[[Page S7455]]

not alone. To commemorate the lives of these children with a special 
day would pay them an honor and would help to bring comfort to the 
hearts of their bereaved families.

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