[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 164 (Monday, October 31, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1963-E1964]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     NATIONAL WORK AND FAMILY MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CAROLYN McCARTHY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 31, 2011

  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the 
observance of October as National Work and Family Month. Last Congress, 
the House of Representatives passed with unanimous support H. Res. 768, 
a resolution that I introduced supporting this same goal and requesting 
the President to issue a proclamation calling for the observance of 
October as National Work and Family Month. Now that October has arrived 
this year, I want to call our attention once again to this effort to 
strengthen America's families, improve our work environments, and 
create a stronger economy and society.
  It is an unfortunate fact that many Americans are unhappy with both 
their work environments and, even worse, their lives in general. The 
Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, an ongoing research project to 
measure Americans' perceptions of their well-being, has found that 53 
percent of Americans are unsatisfied with their work environment. Even 
more disturbing, the Well-Being Index found an equal percentage of 
Americans states that their lives as a whole are ``suffering'' or 
``struggling,'' as opposed to ``thriving.''
  In this time of economic hardship, Congress cannot delay any longer. 
We must work together to find solutions to help rebalance the

[[Page E1964]]

family and work responsibilities of American workers. Such a 
rebalancing would create a healthier and happier workforce, likely 
resulting in higher worker productivity and a stronger economy overall. 
In addition, American families will be strengthened as parents spend 
more time at home with each other and their children. Countless studies 
have documented the positive effects that more engaged parents have on 
their children's development, particularly in terms of education and 
health. Moreover, studies suggest that children with cohesive and 
supportive families are less likely to do drugs or commit other crimes, 
and more likely to excel in school.
  Ultimately, this is the type of America we must foster and leave for 
the next generation. Our workers should be as happy as they are 
productive. Our parents should be as successful in the home as they are 
in their careers. Our children should grow up in families that are as 
nurturing as they are cohesive. Recognizing and celebrating October as 
National Work and Family Month is the first step to reinvigorate the 
American worker and family.

                          ____________________