[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 123 (Tuesday, September 9, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S11260]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     NATIONAL WORK AND FAMILY MONTH

  On Friday, September 5, 2003, the Senate passed S. Res. 210, as 
follows:

       Whereas the quality of workers' jobs and the supportiveness 
     of their workplaces are key predictors of job productivity, 
     job satisfaction, commitment to employers, and retention;
       Whereas there is a clear link between work-family policies 
     and lower absenteeism;
       Whereas the more overworked employees feel, the more likely 
     they are to report making mistakes, feel anger and resentment 
     toward employers and coworkers, and look for a new job;
       Whereas employees who feel overworked tend to feel less 
     successful in their relationships with their spouses, 
     children, and friends, and tend to neglect themselves, feel 
     less healthy, and feel more stress;
       Whereas 85 percent of U.S. wage and salaried workers have 
     immediate, day-to-day family responsibilities off the job;
       Whereas 46 percent of wage and salaried workers are parents 
     with children under the age of 18 who live with them at least 
     half-time;
       Whereas job flexibility allows parents to be more involved 
     in their children's lives, and parental involvement is 
     associated with children's higher achievement in language and 
     mathematics, improved behavior, greater academic persistence, 
     and lower dropout rates;
       Whereas a lack of job flexibility for working parents 
     negatively affects children's health in ways that range from 
     children being unable to make needed doctors' appointments, 
     to children receiving inadequate early care, leading to more 
     severe and prolonged illness;
       Whereas nearly one out of every four Americans--over 45 
     million Americans--provided or arranged care for a family 
     member or friend in the past year;
       Whereas nearly all working adults are concerned about 
     spending more time with their immediate family; and
       Whereas as an increasing number of baby boomers reach 
     retirement age in record numbers, more and more Americans are 
     faced with the challenge of caring for older parents: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That--
       (1) it is the sense of the Senate that--
       (A) reducing the conflict between work and family life 
     should be a national priority; and
       (B) the month of October of 2003 should be designated as 
     ``National Work and Family Month''; and
       (2) the Senate requests that the President issue a 
     proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to 
     observe ``National Work and Family Month'' with appropriate 
     ceremonies and activities.

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