[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 59 (Thursday, May 3, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E716]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SIBLINGS DAY
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HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY
of new york
in the house of representatives
Thursday, May 3, 2001
Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge
the importance of Siblings Day, a day to honor our sisters and brothers
for the many ways in which they have enriched our lives. This
celebration gives us the opportunity to show our appreciation for our
siblings, much the same way that Mother's Day and Father's Day are
celebrated. Founded by a Manhattan constituent, Claudia Evart, Ms.
Evart has worked tirelessly to encourage everyone to honor their
siblings on April 10th.
Siblings make an important contribution to who we are. Often, when
our parents are gone, our siblings are our only remaining family. And
sometimes, as in the case of my constituent Claudia Evart, Siblings Day
will help us remember siblings who we have lost at an early age.
April 10th marks the birthday of Claudia's sister Lisette, who died
tragically in 1972 at age 19 in a car accident that also killed their
father. An additional tragedy struck in 1987, when Ms. Evart's older
brother, Alan, died in an accident at his home. He was 36 years old.
This holiday was recently marked, according to the Siblings Day
Foundation, in 20 states (Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois,
Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri,
Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode
Island, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin); each of
the 20 governors proclaiming the 10th of April as Siblings Day.
I call on the Congress to recognize the importance of family members
by recognizing the contributions made by our siblings. I applaud the
work of Claudia Evart, who has created a loving tribute to her deceased
siblings by her work to establish Siblings Day. Her inspired work
should serve as a lesson to us all.
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