[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 106 (Monday, July 19, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H5683-H5684]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SUPPORTING DESIGNATION OF SEPTEMBER AS NATIONAL CHILD AWARENESS MONTH

  Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 1219) expressing support for designation of 
September as National Child Awareness Month.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1219

       Whereas millions of American children and youth represent 
     the hopes and future of the United States;
       Whereas numerous individuals, children's organizations, and 
     youth-serving organizations that work with children and youth 
     collaborate to provide invaluable services to enrich and 
     better the lives of the young;
       Whereas heightening awareness of, and increasing support 
     for, organizations that provide access to healthcare, social 
     services, education, the arts, sports, and other services 
     will assist in the development of character and the future 
     success of youth in the United States;
       Whereas September is a time when parents, families, 
     teachers, school administrators, and communities in general 
     increase their focus on children and youth nationwide as the 
     school year begins;
       Whereas September is a time for the people of the United 
     States as a whole to highlight and be mindful of the needs of 
     children and youth;
       Whereas the House of Representatives unanimously passed H. 
     Res. 1296 in 2008 and H. Res. 438 in 2009 to support the 
     designation of September as ``National Child Awareness 
     Month'';
       Whereas private corporations and businesses have joined 
     with hundreds of national and local charitable organizations 
     throughout the United States in support of a month-long focus 
     on children and youth; and
       Whereas designating September as National Child Awareness 
     Month would recognize that a long-term commitment to children 
     and youth is in the public interest, and will encourage 
     widespread support for the charities and organizations that 
     seek to provide a better future for the children and youth of 
     the United States: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the designation of a National Child Awareness 
     Month to promote awareness of children's charities and youth-
     serving organizations across the United States;
       (2) recognizes the efforts of children's charities and 
     youth-serving organizations on behalf of children and youth 
     as a critical contribution to the future of the United 
     States; and
       (3) encourages the President to issue a proclamation to 
     emphasize the importance of National Child Awareness Month.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Iowa (Mr. Loebsack) and the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Guthrie) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Iowa.


                             General Leave

  Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during 
which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on 
House Resolution 1219 into the record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Iowa?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise today in support of House Resolution 1219, which supports the 
designation of the month of September as Child Awareness Month and 
encourages us to focus on children and youth nationwide as the school 
year begins.
  There are more than 75 million children in the United States today, 
and they represent the hopes and future of our country. Throughout 
America, thousands of individuals, organizations, and schools are 
working to enrich the lives of our children and youth, and they deserve 
our thanks. Child Awareness Month raises awareness of these 
organizations and charities that provide access to health care, social 
services, education, the arts, sports, and other services for our kids.
  We know today how a child's early years are truly critical to their 
development as adults, and how important it is to ensure that our 
children have access to quality health care, positive educational 
experiences, opportunities to participate in sports and healthy 
activities, and safe and nurturing home environments. Our Nation's 
child- and youth-serving organizations link children to the arts, 
encourage them to set new fitness goals, engage in school activities, 
and teach them to care for their communities.
  During Child Awareness Month, corporations and businesses will join 
with national and local nonprofit groups to focus on children and youth 
returning to school. Some will provide free back-to-school supplies, 
while others will support fall athletics programs. While this 
nationwide focus is just 1 month long, it reminds us of our year-round 
commitment to build a better future for our children.
  Madam Speaker, once again I express my support for Child Awareness 
Month, and I thank Representative Calvert for bringing this bill 
forward.
  I urge my colleagues to join in support of this resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise today in support of House Resolution 1219, expressing support 
for the designation of September as National Child Awareness Month.
  National Child Awareness Month is an opportunity to recognize the 
individuals and charitable organizations who work so diligently to 
improve the lives of children every day. Most young Americans are 
raised in healthy families, and they grow up to be responsible and 
productive citizens. However, there are children who do not have a 
healthy environment in which they can thrive, and whose daily realities 
make their dreams seem forever out of reach. Charitable children's 
organizations and youth organizations play a significant role in 
helping to make up for those daily deficits for millions of 
disadvantaged youth.
  Charitable organizations that serve our Nation's children provide 
invaluable services that enrich the lives of children and their 
families and our Nation as a whole. The work they do every day in 
communities across the country, including after-school tutoring, 
counseling services for at-risk youth, camps and the like, should be 
acknowledged and praised, particularly in these tough economic times.
  I am pleased to recognize the organizations that work tirelessly 
every day in the interests of our children. I ask my colleagues to 
support this resolution.
  Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, as the lead 
Democrat sponsor of H. Res. 1219 I rise in support of this bipartisan 
resolution expressing support for recognizing the month of September as 
National Child Awareness Month.
  My colleague from California, Congressman Ken Calvert and I were 
pleased to introduce H. Res. 438 because it will raise awareness of 
children's charities and youth-serving organizations across the United 
States. This resolution recognizes that these organizations' efforts on 
behalf of children and youth are critical contributions to the future 
of our nation.
  As we know, September is traditionally back-to-school month, a time 
when families focus on preparing children for the coming school year. 
In addition to academic preparation, it is also a time when the 
American public should be focused on the physical, social and economic 
well-being of our nation's children.
  It is my hope that H. Res. 1219 will encourage more individuals to 
volunteer for or contribute to causes that help our children.
  An enhanced awareness of children's charities and youth-serving 
organizations, made possible by this resolution, will assist these 
organizations' efforts to encourage volunteers to become involved in 
the lives of the most disadvantaged children in our communities across 
the country.
  I am confident that National Child Awareness Month will serve as a 
banner that will unite charitable organizations of diverse missions, 
size, geography and scope to focus on a common goal--improving the 
lives of our nation's youth.

[[Page H5684]]

  Many non-profit youth-serving organizations and charities across the 
country have expressed their strong support for the recognition of 
September as National Child Awareness Month.
  I am hopeful that President Obama will share my enthusiasm and issue 
a Presidential Proclamation to designate September as National Child 
Awareness Month. With his support, both public and private programs 
across the nation will be acknowledged for their contributions to 
ensuring our children's well-being.
  In the meantime, I would like to thank my colleagues for their 
unanimous support for the adoption of H. Res. 1219--expressing support 
for designation of September as National Child Awareness Month as it 
will serve to bring the nation's focus back to the one resource that 
guarantees our future success--our children.
  Mr. ROHRABACHER. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1219, 
expressing support for the designation of September as National Child 
Awareness Month. As schools across America reopen their doors this 
autumn, we pay special recognition to the charities and support groups 
who have made immeasurable contributions to America's children in the 
areas of education, health, social services, sports, arts and character 
development.
  As a father of triplets, I know firsthand the challenges associated 
with childhood development and the importance of having a strong 
support system to help guide our children into the 21st century. This 
September, National Child Awareness Month will serve as a reminder that 
all individuals, regardless of their status as an educator or parent, 
can play an important role in the development of our youth.
  The growth of our children does not stop at the school house gates. 
In my district, the Festival of Children Foundation has been a leading 
advocate for improving the lives of children through social 
development. Through the efforts of organizations like the Festival of 
Children Foundation, an increasing number of our youth are reaching 
their potential, and achieving the possible dream. Sandy Segerstrom 
Daniels, a leading business professional and children's advocate 
founded the Festival of Children in 2002 as a center for charities to 
come together and collaborate. The Segerstrom family is a well-
respected family in Orange County.
  The story of the Segerstrom family is the quintessential American 
Dream. The family emigrated from Sweden near the turn of the last 
century and began a lima bean farm in Costa Mesa. Their success was no 
mistake--their hard work and dedication eventually led to a successful 
business that allowed them to give back to the same community that made 
their success possible. And they did so with incredible generosity. 
Among the Segerstroms' many contributions to Orange County are the 
Orange County Performing Arts Center, South Coast Plaza, and Segerstrom 
High School. The Festival of Children Foundation exemplifies the best 
of not only the Segerstrom family, but of Orange County--a county they 
helped build.
  Orange County, California is identified by many as a conservative 
county. As such, Orange County is a family-based community where 
individuals believe in helping one another--where people reach into 
their own pockets to invest in the wellbeing of its youth and others 
who are at-need. For these selfless acts, we all owe a debt of 
gratitude for the immeasurable achievements made by the Festival of 
Children Foundation, Nancy Segerstom Daniels, and all charitable 
organizations that positively impact the lives of America's youth.
  I am hopeful the goals and ideals National Child Awareness Month will 
not only be recognized this September, but every month of the year, as 
the fate of our nation relies on each succeeding generation.
  Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I stand in strong support of House 
Resolution 1219, 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 grow 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 40 bipartisan 
cosponsors and to the gentlelady from Orange County, California, the 
Democratic lead sponsor, Loretta Sanchez and her staff, for their 
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.
  Mr. GUTHRIE. I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I again express my support for Child 
Awareness Month. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this 
resolution.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Loebsack) that the House suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1219.
  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. LOEBSACK. Madam 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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