[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 65 (Thursday, April 30, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S4978]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 122--DESIGNATING APRIL 30, 2009, AS ``DIA DE LOS 
      NINOS: CELEBRATING YOUNG AMERICANS'', AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

  Mr. MENENDEZ (for himself, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. 
Durbin, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Schumer, Mr. Udall of New Mexico, Mr. 
Lautenberg, Mr. Feingold, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Crapo, Mr. 
Martinez, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Nelson of Florida, and Ms. Stabenow) 
submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 122

       Whereas many nations throughout the world, and especially 
     within the Western hemisphere, celebrate ``Dia de los 
     Ninos'', or ``Day of the Children'', on the 30th of April, in 
     recognition and celebration of their country's future--their 
     children;
       Whereas children represent the hopes and dreams of the 
     people of the United States and are the center of American 
     families;
       Whereas children should be nurtured and invested in to 
     preserve and enhance economic prosperity, democracy, and the 
     American spirit;
       Whereas according to the latest Census report, there are 
     more than 44,000,000 individuals of Hispanic descent living 
     in the United States, nearly 15,000,000 of whom are children;
       Whereas Hispanics in the United States, the youngest and 
     fastest growing ethnic community in the Nation, continue the 
     tradition of honoring their children on Dia de los Ninos, and 
     wish to share this custom with the rest of the Nation;
       Whereas the primary teachers of family values, morality, 
     and culture are parents and family members, and we rely on 
     children to pass on these family values, morals, and culture 
     to future generations;
       Whereas the importance of literacy and education are most 
     often communicated to children through family members;
       Whereas families should be encouraged to engage in family 
     and community activities that include extended and elderly 
     family members and that encourage children to explore and 
     develop confidence;
       Whereas the designation of a day to honor the children of 
     the United States will help affirm for the people of the 
     United States the significance of family, education, and 
     community;
       Whereas the designation of a day of special recognition for 
     the children of the United States will provide an opportunity 
     for children to reflect on their future, to articulate their 
     aspirations, and to find comfort and security in the support 
     of their family members and communities;
       Whereas the National Latino Children's Institute, serving 
     as a voice for children, has worked with cities throughout 
     the Nation to declare April 30 as ``Dia de los Ninos: 
     Celebrating Young Americans'', a day to bring together 
     Hispanics and other communities nationwide to celebrate and 
     uplift children; and
       Whereas the children of a nation are the responsibility of 
     all its people, and people should be encouraged to celebrate 
     the gifts of children to society: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates April 30, 2009, as ``Dia de los Ninos: 
     Celebrating Young Americans''; and
       (2) calls on the people of the United States to join with 
     all children, families, organizations, communities, churches, 
     cities, and States across the Nation to observe the day with 
     appropriate ceremonies, including activities that--
       (A) center around children, and are free or minimal in cost 
     so as to encourage and facilitate the participation of all 
     our people;
       (B) are positive and uplifting and that help children 
     express their hopes and dreams;
       (C) provide opportunities for children of all backgrounds 
     to learn about one another's cultures and to share ideas;
       (D) include all members of the family, especially extended 
     and elderly family members, so as to promote greater 
     communication among the generations within a family, enabling 
     children to appreciate and benefit from the experiences and 
     wisdom of their elderly family members;
       (E) provide opportunities for families within a community 
     to get acquainted; and
       (F) provide children with the support they need to develop 
     skills and confidence, and to find the inner strength and the 
     will and fire of the human spirit to make their dreams come 
     true.

                          ____________________