[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11492]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                      INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL FERGUSON

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 21, 2001

  Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor young people around the 
world today, as a supporter of the International Children's Day.
  Our children are our greatest natural resource, and they embody the 
very spirit of our nation's future. Our children are wonderful symbols 
of the infinite promise of tomorrow. The incredible potential that 
these children hold in their minds and in their hearts knows no bounds. 
I feel it is essential that we recognize children so that we may 
instill in them a sense of self-worth and self-esteem. Through our 
efforts, we may guide them along a successful path in life.
  Now, more than ever, our children need our support, as they are faced 
with many challenges that our generations could have never imagined. 
School violence has become a terrible epidemic, and we must exhaust all 
possible avenues as we try to reach a solution to this problem. Our 
children deserve our utmost attention as they grow and take on new 
responsibilities. Children deserve a day in which we honor them for the 
lives they touch and the joy they bring to the world.
  While first celebration of Children's Day took place in San Francisco 
in 1925, the United States no longer acknowledges this holiday. Today, 
over twenty-five countries--including England, Scotland, Sweden, 
Poland, and Norway--all consider this day to be worthy of honor. We 
too, should recognize International Children's Day and bring back this 
day to the country in which it originated.
  I would like to recognize Margareta Paslaru-Sencovici of Summit, New 
Jersey, who has worked tirelessly to establish June 1st of each year as 
International Children's Day. After emigrating from Russia, Margareta 
has spent 18 years living in Summit and received an honorary award and 
membership to UNICEF for her protection of children. Margareta 
continues to return to Bucharest where she visits orphanages to 
entertain the children with stories and song, as well as delivering 
toys and clothing, which she has collected through donations here in 
America.
  I commend Margareta for bringing international recognition to a day 
we can all agree on regardless of political affiliation, religious 
preference, or race because, after all, there is no dispute that our 
children are our future.

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