[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 127 (Wednesday, September 26, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S9858]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          FAMILY HISTORY MONTH

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary 
Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 160 and 
that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 160.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk 
will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 160) designating the month of October 
     2001 as ``Family History Month.''

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I rise today in support of families and S. 
Res. 160 that dedicates October 2001 as Family History Month.
  The concept of designating October as Family History Month began 
several years ago. According to the National Genealogical Society, 
Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, 
Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and 
Virginia all passed ``proclamations'' in the last few years declaring 
October as Family History Month.
  Within the last month some 14,167,329 people researched their family 
history and 24 million people have used the Web and email to locate 
family or friends with whom they had lost touch. Researching ancestry 
is a very important component to self identity. It can lead to long-
sought-after family reunions or allow for life saving medical 
treatments that only genetic links will allow.
  At present there are some 2,500 genealogical societies in the United 
States that represent approximately one million people. Genealogy is 
currently the 2nd largest hobby in the country and is very unique in 
that it crosses over all religions, ethnic backgrounds, and age groups. 
Essentially, we are all immigrants to this country. Our ancestors came 
from different parts of the globe and by searching for our roots, we 
come closer together as a human family.
  Researching family history has now moved into the digital age with 
the advent of the Internet. There has been an explosion of interest in 
family history online in fact genealogy internet sites are some of the 
most popular sites on the World Wide Web. My church, The Church of 
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has family history information on 
nearly 500 million individuals on its family history Web site 
(www.familysearch.com).
  I thank the 84 members who cosponsored this important resolution and 
urge all my colleagues to join with me in drawing attention to our 
human heritage by voting for this resolution.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
and preamble be agreed to en bloc, that the motion to reconsider be 
laid upon the table, and that any statements relating thereto be 
printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 160) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 160

       Whereas it is the family, striving for a future of 
     opportunity and hope, that reflects our Nation's belief in 
     community, stability, and love;
       Whereas the family remains an institution of promise, 
     reliance, and encouragement;
       Whereas we look to the family as an unwavering symbol of 
     constancy that will help us discover a future of prosperity, 
     promise, and potential;
       Whereas within our Nation's libraries and archives lie the 
     treasured records that detail the history of our Nation, our 
     States, our communities, and our citizens;
       Whereas individuals from across our Nation and across the 
     world have embarked on a genealogical journey by discovering 
     who their ancestors were and how various forces shaped their 
     past;
       Whereas an ever-growing number in our Nation and in other 
     nations are collecting, preserving, and sharing genealogies, 
     personal documents, and memorabilia that detail the life and 
     times of families around the world;
       Whereas 54,000,000 individuals belong to a family where 
     someone in the family has used the Internet to research their 
     family history;
       Whereas individuals from across our Nation and across the 
     world continue to research their family heritage and its 
     impact upon the history of our Nation and the world;
       Whereas approximately 60 percent of Americans have 
     expressed an interest in tracing their family history;
       Whereas the study of family history gives individuals a 
     sense of their heritage and a sense of responsibility in 
     carrying out a legacy that their ancestors began;
       Whereas as individuals learn about their ancestors who 
     worked so hard and sacrificed so much, their commitment to 
     honor their ancestors' memory by doing good is increased;
       Whereas interest in our personal family history transcends 
     all cultural and religious affiliations;
       Whereas to encourage family history research, education, 
     and the sharing of knowledge is to renew the commitment to 
     the concept of home and family; and
       Whereas the involvement of National, State, and local 
     officials in promoting genealogy and in facilitating access 
     to family history records in archives and libraries are 
     important factors in the successful perception of nationwide 
     camaraderie, support, and participation: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates the month of October 2001, as ``Family 
     History Month''; and
       (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
     calling upon the people of the United States to observe the 
     month with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

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