[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8364]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    RECOGNIZING EL DIA DE LOS NINOS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 28, 2005

  Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I proudly rise today in recognition of EI 
Dia de Los Ninos, also known as Day of the Children. Since 1925, Dia de 
Los Ninos has expanded into a global event, celebrated every year on 
the 30th day of April. This day pays homage to the importance of 
children in our society and endorses the need for their well-being. A 
traditional Latin American holiday, Dia de Los Ninos has been observed 
nationally since the passage of Senate Resolution 278 on April 30, 
1998.
  On EI Dia de Los Ninos, all Americans are provided an opportunity to 
pay tribute to those who will assume the reins of this great country--
our nation's youth. Among those being honored, Latino children 
represent the fastest growing child population in the United States. 
Around the world and across this nation, community organizations, 
libraries, schools, and other family-serving institutions will 
coordinate activities and events that celebrate children in observation 
of this holiday. One such organization is the Mattie Rhodes Center, 
located in Missouri's Fifth Congressional District.
  For over 110 years, the Mattie Rhodes Center has been serving 
residents of Kansas City's urban core that have few resources to access 
even the most basic of services. The Mattie Rhodes Center has a rich 
history of caring for children and supporting families by providing a 
comprehensive network of family and youth services. By providing social 
services, mental health counseling and art experiences in a bilingual, 
culturally sensitive environment, the Mattie Rhodes Center has assisted 
many Kansas Citians in becoming self-reliant, productive members of the 
community.
  As a proud father of four, I happily celebrate EI Dia de Los Ninos 
and the contributions of the Mattie Rhodes Center. I urge my fellow 
colleagues to please join me in celebrating young Americans and to use 
this day to renew our commitment to the future of our children in the 
Latino and broader communities, so that we can ensure that all children 
have an equal opportunity to achieve their hopes and dreams.

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