[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 113 (Friday, July 24, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1918]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             SUPPORTING NATIONAL CHILDREN AND FAMILIES DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CANDICE S. MILLER

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 21, 2009

  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, 
Ms. Edwards, for offering this important resolution.
  This resolution designates the fourth day of June, 2009 as National 
Children and Families Day.
  Our children are this nation's most important resource, and this 
resolution highlights the invaluable role families have in raising 
healthy, well-adjusted children. Families come in many different shapes 
and sizes, but they all play a critical role in the care and 
development of their children.
  Research shows that spending time together as a family is critical to 
raising strong and resilient kids. And studies have shown, the more 
often children eat dinner with their families, the less likely they are 
to smoke, drink or use drugs, so we should be in the business of 
supporting families.
  Early childhood experience lays the foundation for later development, 
and the first three years of a child's life are especially important. 
Investing resources in children and families will pay large dividends 
for our society, not only in increased productivity, but also for more 
opportunities for our children to realize their dreams.
  We must take it upon ourselves as a society to cultivate loving and 
supporting families whenever possible. National Children and Families 
Day provides us an opportunity to recognize our responsibility to 
foster family environments that nurture the next generation and to 
promote a positive environment for families across America.
  Lee Iacocca said it best when he said, ``The only rock I know that 
stays steady, the only institution I know that works is the family.''
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

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