[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Page 8852]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                          NATIONAL CHILD'S DAY

  Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 561, S. Res. 
296.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 296) designating the first Sunday in 
     June of each calendar year as ``National Child's Day''.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution, which had been reported from the Committee on the 
Judiciary, with an amendment, as follows:
  (The part of the bill intended to be stricken is shown in boldface 
brackets and the part of the bill intended to be inserted is shown in 
italic.)

                              S. Res. 296

       Whereas the first Sunday of June falls between Mother's Day 
     and Father's Day;
       Whereas each child is unique, a blessing, and holds a 
     distinct place in the family unit;
       Whereas the people of the United States should celebrate 
     children as the most valuable asset of the United States;
       Whereas the children represent the future, hope, and 
     inspiration of the United States;
       Whereas the children of the United States should be allowed 
     to feel that their ideas and dreams will be respected because 
     adults in the United States take time to listen;
       Whereas many children of the United States face crises of 
     grave proportions, especially as they enter adolescent years;
       Whereas it is important for parents to spend time listening 
     to their children on a daily basis;
       Whereas modern societal and economic demands often pull the 
     family apart;
       Whereas, whenever practicable, it is important for both 
     parents to be involved in their child's life;
       Whereas encouragement should be given to families to set 
     aside a special time for all family members to engage 
     together in family activities;
       Whereas adults in the United States should have an 
     opportunity to reminisce on their youth to recapture some of 
     the fresh insight, innocence, and dreams that they may have 
     lost through the years;
       Whereas the designation of a day to commemorate the 
     children of the United States will provide an opportunity to 
     emphasize to children the importance of developing an ability 
     to make the choices necessary to distance themselves from 
     impropriety and to contribute to their communities;
       Whereas the people of the United States should emphasize to 
     children the importance of family life, education, and 
     spiritual qualities;
       Whereas because children are the responsibility of all 
     people of the United States, everyone should celebrate 
     children, whose questions, laughter, and dreams are important 
     to the existence of the United States; and
       Whereas the designation of a day to commemorate the 
     children will emphasize to the people of the United States 
     the importance of the role of the child within the family and 
     society: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates [the first Sunday in June of each year] June 
     4, 2000, as ``National Child's Day''; and
       (2) requests the President to issue a proclamation calling 
     on the people of the United States to observe the day with 
     appropriate ceremonies and activities.
       Amend the title to read as follows: ``Designating June 4, 
     2000, as `National Child's Day' ''.

  Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution, as amended, be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the 
motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, the title amendment be 
agreed to, and any statements relating thereto be printed in the 
Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The committee amendment was agreed to.
  The resolution (S. Res. 296), as amended, was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The title was amended so as to read: ``Designating June 4, 2000, as 
`National Child's Day.' ''

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