[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 162 (Friday, December 16, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S13856-S13857]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 72--REQUESTING THE PRESIDENT TO ISSUE A 
 PROCLAMATION ANNUALLY CALLING UPON THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES TO 
OBSERVE GLOBAL FAMILY DAY, ONE DAY OF PEACE AND SHARING, AND FOR OTHER 
                                PURPOSES

  Mr. INOUYE (for himself, Mr. Coleman, and Mr. Kennedy) submitted the 
following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
the Judiciary:

                            S. Con. Res. 72

       Whereas, in the year 2005, the people of the world suffered 
     many calamitous events, including devastation from tsunami, 
     terror attacks, war, famine, genocide, hurricanes, 
     earthquakes, political and religious conflict, disease, 
     poverty, and rioting, all necessitating global cooperation, 
     compassion, and unity previously unprecedented among diverse 
     cultures, faiths, and economic classes;
       Whereas grave global challenges in the year 2006 may 
     require cooperation and innovative problem solving among 
     citizens and nations on an even greater scale;
       Whereas, on December 15, 2000, Congress adopted Senate 
     Concurrent Resolution 138, expressing the sense of Congress 
     that the President of the United States should issue a 
     proclamation each year calling upon the people of the United 
     States and interested organizations to observe an 
     international day of peace and sharing at the beginning of 
     each year;
       Whereas, in 2001, the United Nations General Assembly 
     adopted Resolution 56/2, which invited ``Member States, 
     intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and all 
     the peoples of the world to celebrate One Day in Peace, 1 
     January 2002, and every year thereafter'';
       Whereas many foreign heads of state have recognized the 
     importance of establishing Global Family Day, a special day 
     of international unity, peace, and sharing, on the first day 
     of each year;
       Whereas Congress desires to express and demonstrate its 
     appreciation to the citizens of the more than 100 countries 
     who offered aid to United States hurricane victims, to make 
     tangible efforts to reverse the growing mistrust of the 
     United States, and to improve relations with others; and
       Whereas family is the basic structure of humanity, and we 
     must all look to the stability and love within our individual 
     families to create stability in the global community: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress urgently requests the following:
       (1) That the President issue a proclamation annually 
     calling upon the people of the United States to observe 
     Global Family Day, One Day of Peace and Sharing, a day which 
     is dedicated--
       (A) to eradicating violence, hunger, poverty, and 
     suffering; and
       (B) to establishing greater trust and fellowship among 
     peace-loving nations and families everywhere.
       (2) That the President invite former Presidents of the 
     United States, Nobel laureates, and other notables, including 
     business, labor, faith, and civic leaders of the United 
     States, to join the President in promoting appropriate 
     activities for the people of the United States and in 
     extending appropriate greetings from the families of the 
     United States to families in the rest of the world.

  Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I rise to submit a Senate Concurrent 
Resolution

[[Page S13857]]

requesting the President to issue a proclamation annually calling upon 
the people of the United States to observe Global Family Day, One Day 
of Peace and Sharing, on the first of each January. This measure is co-
sponsored by Mr. Coleman and Mr. Kennedy.
  The observance is dedicated to eradicating violence, hunger, poverty 
and suffering, and to establish greater trust and fellowship among 
nations and families everywhere. Global Family Day encourages families 
to reach out to each other on the first of January of each year. It is 
a day for sharing the idea and condition of peace, and the observance 
can take a concrete form such as sharing a meal or helping the needy.
  The idea of Global Family Day originates from young supporters. In 
1999, ninety nine children from Hine Middle School in the District of 
Columbia visited Capitol Hill, asking Congress to dedicate one day each 
year to a day of peace and sharing. In the following year, the 
footsteps of these intrepid young thinkers were followed by children 
from Brent Elementary School, also from the District of Columbia. 
Children from Stuart-Hobson Middle School also visited members of 
Congress on Capitol Hill.
  The 106th Congress agreed with them, and in the year 2000, adopted a 
resolution similar to the one I am submitting today. However, with the 
onrush of events after the tragedy of September 11, 2001, a 
proclamation was not issued. Thus, there was little public knowledge 
that we have this important tool for peace, despite the international 
support from the United Nations General Assembly. We can remedy that 
today by showing our support for Global Family Day.
  Many Americans are troubled by our deteriorating image in the world, 
by the dangers of terrorism and by the suffering of others, both at 
home and abroad. Yet they feel helpless to do anything about it. Global 
Family Day offers a potential solution. The observance of Global Family 
Day can lead to greater understanding among faith groups, people of 
different races and economic classes. Global Family Day provides a way 
in which every man, woman and child in the United States can help 
reduce suffering at home, repair our damaged image abroad, and help us 
remember that in the end, all peoples belong to the same family.

                          ____________________