[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.
____________________