[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 19]
[Senate]
[Pages 27661-27662]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



   SENATE RESOLUTION 212--TO DESIGNATE AUGUST 1, 2000, AS ``NATIONAL 
                       RELATIVES AS PARENTS DAY''

  Mr. ABRAHAM submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 212

       Whereas children are this Nation's most valuable resource;
       Whereas the most important responsibility for this Nation's 
     lawmakers and citizens is the protection and care of 
     children;
       Whereas in order to ensure the future success of this 
     Nation, children must be taught values that will help them 
     lead happy, healthy, and productive lives;
       Whereas the family unit is most suitable to provide the 
     special care and attention needed by children;
       Whereas this year, many children will suffer from child 
     abuse, neglect, poor nutrition, and insufficient child care, 
     all of which jeopardize the well-being of young children and 
     the opportunity for a fulfilling and successful adulthood;
       Whereas extended family members, willing to open their 
     hearts and homes to children whose immediate families are in 
     crises, play an indispensable role in helping those children 
     heal by providing them with a stable and secure environment 
     in which they can grow and develop;
       Whereas approximately 520,000 children are currently under 
     the care and guidance of foster parents--about 150,800, or 29 
     percent, of whom are children living in foster homes with 
     extended family members who care for these children and 
     provide them with a positive home environment; and
       Whereas ``National Relatives as Parents Day'' is an 
     appropriate occasion to recognize the dedication, compassion, 
     and selflessness of extended family members who willingly 
     assume the often thankless responsibility of providing a 
     relative child with a family and home: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates August 1, 2000, as ``National Relatives as 
     Parents Day''; and
       (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
     calling on the people of the United States to observe 
     ``National Relatives as Parents Day'' with appropriate 
     ceremonies and activities.

  Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, today I rise to submit my resolution 
which would recognize August 1st, 2000 as ``National Relatives as 
Parents Day.''
  Mr. President, last year the state of Michigan and its Governor, John 
Engler, declared August 1, 1999, as Relatives Raising Relative Children 
Day in order to recognize the enduring and valuable contributions of 
those individuals willing to raise relative children as their own sons 
and daughters. I believe that we should follow the example set by my 
home State and recognize all of our relatives raising relatives.
  Mr. President, my resolution declaring August 1, 2000 as ``National 
Relatives as Parents Day'' provides the perfect opportunity to 
recognize and honor the dedication and compassion of relatives who 
willingly take on the often thankless responsibility of providing a 
relative child in need of a family and home.
  Mr. President, there is little doubt that children are our Nation's 
most valuable resource. They are, quite literally, America's future. 
And, it is our most important responsibility as lawmakers and as 
citizens to protect and care for our most vulnerable charges.
  Mr. President, there is also little doubt that the family plays a 
vital and irreplaceable role in providing young children with the 
secure and caring environment necessary to teach them the values 
integral to leading a happy, healthy and productive life. Mr. 
President, it is within the family that children best receive the 
special care and attention necessary for their proper development.
  Unfortunately, not all children grow up in a healthy home 
environment. Too many children will suffer from child abuse or neglect, 
poor nutrition and insufficient child care, all of which jeopardize the 
well-being of a young child and his or her opportunity for a fulfilling 
and successful adulthood. Sadly, in the event that the family unit 
breaks down, the child cannot remain in his or her existing home 
situation.

[[Page 27662]]

  Mr. President, I am pleased to note that there are many individuals 
willing to open their hearts and homes to children whose families are 
in crisis. These special people play an indispensable role in helping 
children heal--providing children with a stable and secure environment 
in which they can grow and develop into successful adults.
  Mr. President, approximately 520,000 children live with foster 
families--about 150,800, or 29 percent, of whom are children living 
with relatives who are willing to take in relative children, providing 
them with guidance and a caring and positive home environment. It is in 
honor of these individuals that I stand today, for without their 
selflessness, many of the close to 160,000 children would either remain 
in unhealthy and unsafe environments or be uprooted and placed in 
temporary group homes. Relatives who take on the responsibility of 
parents deserve special recognition for their long-lasting 
contributions to their children and to the larger community.
  It is my hope that all of my colleagues will join with me in 
recognition of all of this country's relatives, who as parents, have 
had an incalculable positive impact in the lives of young children in 
need of a family and home.

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