[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 17318]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  STATEMENTS ON SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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  SENATE RESOLUTION 328--DESIGNATING THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 22 THROUGH 
            SEPTEMBER 28, 2002, AS ``NATIONAL PARENTS WEEK''

  Mr. DeWINE (for himself and Mr. Voinovich) submitted the following 
resolution, which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 328

       Whereas parents play an indispensable role in the rearing 
     of their children;
       Whereas good parenting is a time consuming, emotionally 
     demanding task that is essential not only to the health of a 
     household but to the well-being of our Nation;
       Whereas without question, the future of our Nation depends 
     largely upon the willingness of mothers and fathers, however 
     busy or distracted, to embrace their parental 
     responsibilities and to vigilantly watch over and guide the 
     lives of their children;
       Whereas mothers and fathers must strive tirelessly to raise 
     children in an atmosphere of decency, discipline, and 
     devotion, where encouragement abounds and where kindness, 
     affection, and cooperation are in plentiful supply;
       Whereas the journey into adulthood can be perilous and 
     lonely for a child without stability, direction, and 
     emotional support;
       Whereas children benefit enormously from parents with whom 
     they feel safe, secure, and valued, and in an environment 
     where parent and child alike can help one another achieve joy 
     and fulfillment on a variety of levels; and
       Whereas a safe and secure domestic climate contributes 
     significantly to a child's development into a healthy, well-
     adjusted adult, and it is imperative that the general 
     population not underestimate the favorable impact that 
     positive parenting can have on society as a whole: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates the week of September 22 through September 
     28, 2002, as ``National Parents Week''; and
       (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
     calling upon the people of the United States to observe that 
     week with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

  Mr. DeWINE. Madam President, I rise today to join my friend and 
colleague from Ohio, Senator Voinovich, to submit a resolution 
designating September 22 through September 28, as ``National Parents 
Week.''
  As proud parents of eight children and now seven grandchildren, my 
wife, Fran, and I know that our Nation's future is in the hands of all 
children. To safeguard this future, parents must fulfill many demanding 
responsibilities. They must teach their children values, participate in 
their education, encourage their dreams, and comfort them in times of 
need. As any parent knows, this is not easy. It takes dedication, 
constant attention, and unconditional love. This resolution serves as a 
``thank you'' to all parents across the nation working hard, day after 
day, to provide for their children emotionally, physically, 
spiritually, and materially.
  It is very common today for a single parent to be solely tasked with 
the responsibility for raising his or her children. This month we have 
all remembered the over 100 babies who were born to widowed mothers 
after the tragic events of September 11, babies who will never know 
their fathers. We've also remembered the countless children who have 
been left fatherless or motherless due these events. Indeed, these 
single parents have an extremely challenging job ahead.
  Studies indicate that children in families maintained by one parent 
face more challenges and are more likely than children raised in two-
parent homes to do poorly in school, have emotional and behavioral 
problems, become teenage parents, and have poverty-level incomes as 
adults. These frightening facts, once again, show us that strong 
parental involvement is vital to children's development and long-term 
success.
  Knowing the many risks kids face today, parents are increasingly 
getting involved in their children's lives from talking with them about 
drugs to making sure their homework is done to getting to know their 
child's friends and teachers. This resolution is important to let 
parents know that we are grateful to them and support them in their 
tasks. Parenthood is, at minimum, an eighteen-year full-time job, and 
takes unending commitment to ensure a bright and promising future for 
our country's children. And so today, I thank parents on behalf of a 
grateful Nation.

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