[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 18]
[Senate]
[Pages 25559-25560]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



  SENATE RESOLUTION 204--DESIGNATING THE WEEK BEGINNING NOVEMBER 21, 
1999, AND THE WEEK BEGINNING ON NOVEMBER 19, 2000, AS ``NATIONAL FAMILY 
                     WEEK'', AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

  Mr. HATCH (for himself, Mr. Abraham, Mr. Bayh, Mr. Bennett, Mr. 
Burns, Mr. Byrd, Mr. DeWine, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Grams, Mr. Gregg, Mr. Hagel, 
Mr. Helms, Mr. Inouye, Mr. Levin, Mr. Lugar, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Reid, Mr. 
Smith of New Hampshire, Mr. Smith of Oregon, Mr. Thurmond, and Mr. 
Wyden) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 204

       Whereas the family is the basic strength of any free and 
     orderly society;
       Whereas it is in the family that America's youth are 
     nurtured and taught the values vital to success and happiness 
     in life: respect for others, honesty, service, hard work, 
     loyalty, love, and others;
       Whereas the family provides the support necessary for 
     people to pursue their goals;
       Whereas it is appropriate to honor the family unit as 
     essential to the continued well-being of the United States;
       Whereas it is fitting that official recognition be given to 
     the importance of family loyalties and ties: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, That the Senate designates the week beginning on 
     November 21, 1999 and the week beginning on November 19, 
     2000, as ``National Family Week''. The Senate requests the 
     President to issue a proclamation calling on the people of 
     the United States to observe each week with appropriate 
     ceremonies and activities.


[[Page 25560]]

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I am pleased today to submit a resolution 
designating the week beginning on November 21, 1999, and the week 
beginning on November 19, 2000, as ``National Family Week.'' Such a 
resolution has been passed in every Congress since 1976, and I am proud 
to support this tradition of honoring America's families.
  The family is the backbone of our free nation and vital to the 
prosperity of the United States. We have all seen and, hopefully, have 
felt the tremendous impact a supportive family makes in the life of an 
individual. A strong family nurtures and teaches children the values 
they need to be successful in this world: hard work, honesty, loyalty 
and respect for others.
  National Family Week is the week that includes Thanksgiving in both 
1999 and 2000. This is a very fitting time to celebrate the institution 
that brings us together with those we love.
  This resolution will officially recognize the great significance of 
the family in our society and encourages states and communities to 
emphasize the importance of the family with appropriate activities, 
celebrations, and ceremonies.
  I hope my distinguished colleagues will join me in support of this 
resolution.

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