[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 70 (Tuesday, June 6, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H3404-H3405]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF A NATIONAL CHILDREN AND FAMILIES DAY

  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 763) supporting the goals and ideals of a National 
Children and Families Day, in order to encourage adults in the United 
States to support and listen to children and to help children 
throughout the Nation achieve their hopes and dreams, and for other 
purposes.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 763

       Whereas research shows that spending time together as a 
     family is critical to raising strong and resilient kids;
       Whereas strong healthy families improve the quality of life 
     and the development of children;
       Whereas it is essential to celebrate and reflect upon the 
     important role that all families play in the lives of 
     children and their positive effect for the Nation's future; 
     and
       Whereas the country's greatest natural resource is its 
     children: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports the 
     goals and ideals of a National Children and Families Day to--
       (1) encourage adults to support, listen to, and encourage 
     children throughout the Nation;
       (2) reflect upon the important role that all families play 
     in the lives of children; and
       (3) recognize that strong, healthy families improve the 
     quality of life and the development of children.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Issa) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 
5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous materials on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 763, which will support the 
goals and ideals of National Children and Families Day. H. Res. 763, 
which currently has 54 bipartisan cosponsors, passed the full 
Government Reform Committee with unanimous consent on May 4, 2006.
  Too often we overlook the importance of a strong family in our 
everyday lives and most importantly its impact on our children. Our 
children are our country's most vital resource, and we should strive to 
do everything possible to prepare them to lead healthy, productive 
lives as they mature into adulthood.
  There is nothing more important to any of us, whether we are adult or 
child, than to have a sense of family and tradition, but most 
important, to have a feeling of belonging. Too often here in this great 
country, we hear about the breakdown of the family. A nationally 
proclaimed family and children's day will be a bridge to our future and 
will help us restore the Nation's greatness.
  Mr. Speaker, this day can serve to be a reminder to all of us to 
encourage children everywhere to achieve their hopes and dreams.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
might consume.
  Mr. Speaker, families teach children the lessons they must learn to 
be happy and to prosper. They also care for children by giving them 
love and warmth and providing food, shelter and financial support.

[[Page H3405]]

                              {time}  2200

  While families may handle problems differently, families can develop 
the following traits to become strong and to improve the quality of 
life and the development of children. Families learn how to show love 
and affection towards each other. And no matter what children say or 
do, children need to know that their parents love them. Children must 
know that they are loved even though they have different strengths or 
weaknesses. And when children make mistakes, parents can let them know 
they are loved as they help them to discover how to learn from 
mistakes.
  Strong families build trusting relationships by demonstrating 
commitment to all the members of the family. This includes following 
through with promises, working as a team, and talking to one another 
about important decisions and daily plans.
  All families experience crisis, but strong families use these 
experiences to learn and to grow. Family members should spend time 
together talking, reading, playing games, and taking walks. They should 
encourage each other and be involved in their neighborhoods and 
community.
  A National Families and Children's Day will encourage families to 
embrace these traits and will highlight the important role all families 
play in the lives of children and their positive effect for the 
Nation's future.
  It is so unfortunate that there are millions of children in our 
country who don't have the ability to experience on a daily basis, on a 
regular basis, on an ongoing basis the love and care of a stable family 
relationship; children who are institutionalized or children who move 
from one foster situation to another. Hopefully, as we continue to 
learn how to enhance and improve the quality of life, we will better 
learn how to strengthen and develop family structures and the reality 
that strong families help make for a strong Nation.
  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong 
support of H. Res. 763.
  This resolution passed out of my committee with unanimous consent on 
May 4th and has support from Members on both sides of the aisle.
  This resolution supports the goals and ideals of a national children 
and families day to encourage adults to support and listen to their 
children to help them achieve their hopes and dreams.
  Being a parent is the toughest job an individual will ever have, but 
it is important to recognize that strong, healthy families improve the 
quality of life and the development of children.
  In today's fast-paced society, and with so many demands placed on 
adults and children alike, it is important to take the time out and 
recognize the basic necessity of encouraging our Nation's youth as they 
are the future of this great Nation.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this 
legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, I urge 
passage, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Issa) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 763.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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