[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 78 (Wednesday, May 20, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1219]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               SUPPORTING NATIONAL CHILD AWARENESS MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 18, 2009

  Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I stand in strong support of House 
Resolution 438, a bipartisan resolution which expresses the sense of 
the U.S. House of Representatives that National Child Awareness Month 
should be established in the month of September.
  September is traditionally ``back-to-school'' month, a time when 
families focus on preparing children for the coming school year. 
Recognizing September as National Child Awareness Month will heighten 
the American public's attentiveness to the importance of our children's 
health, education, safety and character development through the ongoing 
efforts of the numerous organizations and individuals who help to 
protect and nurture them. With this resolution we express our support 
for a month-long effort to recognize the importance of children in our 
society as they grown into responsible citizens.
  It is widely recognized that a strong, supportive family unit is the 
most important factor in the well-being of a child. Unfortunately there 
is no guarantee that every child will have a support system to depend 
on. Thankfully there are many organizations that provide for the most 
disadvantaged children in communities across the country. Even children 
with solid support systems benefit from youth-serving organizations 
which enrich their lives through activities such as sports, the arts, 
philanthropy and further education outside of the classroom.
  I would like to extend my sincerest appreciation to the 69 bipartisan 
cosponsors and to the gentlelady from Orange County, the lead sponsor, 
Loretta Sanchez, for her efforts on behalf of this resolution. In 
addition I would like to extend a special thanks to the Education and 
Labor Committee for moving the bill quickly. It is my hope that 
Senators Feinstein and Burr will quickly pass a companion resolution in 
the Senate chamber and that President Obama will by Presidential 
Proclamation, designate September as National Child Awareness Month so 
that the many child-focused programs of the federal government might 
also be highlighted.
  Most importantly, I commend the many local and national youth-serving 
organizations and charities dedicated to the well-being of children 
across the nation and the world.

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