[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 95 (Wednesday, June 23, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H4692-H4693]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SUPPORTING DESIGNATION OF YEAR OF THE FATHER
Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 285) recognizing the important role
that fathers play in the lives of their children and families and
supporting the goals and ideals of designating 2010 as the Year of the
Father.
The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:
H. Con. Res. 285
Whereas Father's Day was founded in 1910 by Mrs. John B.
Dodd after attending a Mother's Day celebration in 1909 and
believing that fathers should receive the same recognition;
Whereas Mrs. John B. Dodd, Sonora Smart Dodd, founded the
day in celebration of her father, William Smart;
Whereas William Smart, a Civil War veteran, raised six
children on his own after the death of his wife;
Whereas Spokane, Washington, recognized and hosted the
first celebration of Father's Day on June 19, 1910;
Whereas in 1924, President Calvin Coolidge recognized
Father's Day and urged States to follow suit;
Whereas in 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a
proclamation calling for the third Sunday in June to be
recognized as Father's Day and requested that flags be flown
that day on all government buildings;
Whereas President Richard Nixon signed a proclamation in
1972 permanently observing Father's Day on the third Sunday
in June;
Whereas Father's Day is celebrated in over 50 countries
around the world;
Whereas there are an estimated 64.3 million fathers around
the Nation today;
Whereas it is well documented that children involved with
loving fathers are significantly more likely to have healthy
self-esteems, exhibit empathy and prosocial behavior, avoid
high risk behaviors, have reduced antisocial behavior and
delinquency in boys, have better peer relationships, and have
higher occupational mobility relative to parents;
Whereas fathers who live with their children are more
likely to have a close, enduring relationship with their
children than those who do not; and
Whereas the 100th anniversary of Father's Day will be
celebrated in Spokane, Washington, on June 20, 2010: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That Congress--
(1) recognizes the important role that fathers play in the
lives of their children and families; and
(2) supports the goals and ideals of the Year of the
Father.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
Jersey (Mr. Payne) and the gentlewoman from Washington (Mrs. McMorris
Rodgers) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.
General Leave
Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which
Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House
Concurrent Resolution 285 into the Record.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New Jersey?
There was no objection.
Mr. PAYNE. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution
285, which honors and celebrates the observance of the centennial
anniversary of Father's Day this past Sunday, and to recognize the
importance of fatherhood. This resolution highlights the long history
of Father's Day, first celebrated on June 19, 1910, to honor the love
and commitment that fathers give our children and their families.
Every year on the third Sunday in June, families across this Nation
stop to thank fathers for the hard work and dedication it takes to be a
supportive and involved parent. The tradition of Father's Day began 100
years ago in Spokane, Washington. The day was first recognized
nationally by President Coolidge in 1924, who urged States to follow
suit. President Nixon signed the proclamation in 1972 permanently
observing Father's Day as the third Sunday in June.
Supportive fathers play a significant and influential role in their
child's development. Children with loving fathers generally have
healthier self-esteem, better peer relationships, more pro-social
behavior, and an enjoyment of learning new skills. A positive
environment at home also helps children thrive academically and get
involved in extracurricular activities.
By commending the hard work and dedication of fathers during the
centennial celebration of Father's Day, we encourage responsible
fatherhood and happy, successful, and stronger families and
communities.
I want to thank Representative McMorris Rodgers for bringing this
resolution to the floor and urge my colleagues to pass this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Concurrent
Resolution 285, recognizing the important role that fathers play in the
lives of their children and family, and recognizing this year, 2010, as
the ``year of the father.''
Unbeknownst to many, Father's Day has an especially significant
meaning to the people of Spokane, Washington. This past Sunday, the
city of Spokane celebrated the 100th anniversary of the founding of
Father's Day, a national tradition that began in 1909 by a local
Spokane woman, Sonora Smart Dodd. Looking for a way to recognize her
father and those like him, Sonora Dodd publicly recognized her father
in 1909, a Civil War veteran who raised six children on his own after
the death of his wife. From there, the city of Spokane established the
first celebration of Father's Day at the local YMCA in 1910, and in the
years following the celebration spread around the Nation. The
resolution that we are considering today
[[Page H4693]]
is a way to demonstrate our appreciation to fathers everywhere and to
recognize the critical role they play in our lives.
Research in the field confirms that children whose fathers play a
significant role in their lives are much more likely to lead productive
and healthy lives. Moreover, children with involved fathers are much
more likely to have close, enduring relationships.
I would like to congratulate Spokane on its 100th anniversary and
recognize all the fathers out there like my own who have and continue
to do so much for their children and families.
I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I urge the support of House Concurrent
Resolution 285.
As a father of three, grandfather of triplet grandchildren and
another--four grandchildren, and one great grandchild, I certainly am
here to say that I think that Father's Day is a wonderful day. I was
very privileged to have my children take me to a wonderful brunch, as
they do every Father's Day.
Mr. Speaker, I ask the House to vote in favor of this resolution.
Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in order to express
my support for H. Con. Res. 285, which recognizes the important role
that fathers play in the lives of their children and families and
supports the goals and ideals of designating 2010 as the Year of the
Father. I would also like to commend Representative McMorris Rodgers
for sponsoring this bill and showing her commitment to recognizing the
crucial role of fathers.
I grew up with both of my parents in my life. My father worked for
the Department of Justice for a large portion of his career. He
eventually became the Director of Classifications and Paroles for the
Bureau of Prisons and was the highest ranking African-American in the
Bureau at that time. I saw my father work hard everyday in an effort to
provide for his family. His value system transferred to me, and I make
it a point to influence my children in the same way my father
positively influenced me. I know without a doubt that my father helped
me to develop into the man I am today.
There are numerous studies and statistics that all show fathers are
crucial to the development of a child. Children who grow up with the
love and care of their fathers are more likely to exhibit strong self-
confidence and are more likely to avoid high-risk behaviors.
In honoring fathers with this resolution, I would also like to offer
a challenge to all fathers to make an effort to develop healthy, loving
relationships with their children. I challenge fathers not to be in the
words of the Temptations ``rolling stones,'' but solid rocks on which
their families can depend on.
Mr. Speaker, it is with upmost sincerity that I support this solution
and I urge my colleagues to do the same. It is my hope that this
resolution serves as an inspiration for fathers all across this great
Nation.
Mr. PAYNE. I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 285.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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