[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7142]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




H. CON. RES. 62: SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF A NATIONAL CHILDREN 
                            AND FAMILIES DAY

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                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 20, 2007

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, a National Children and 
Families Day will encourage families to embrace the qualities needed to 
raise happy and healthy citizens. For example, families teach children 
the lessons they must learn to live productive and prosperous lives. 
They care for children by giving them love, warmth, and encouragement 
while providing food, shelter, and financial support. Strong families 
build trusting relationships by demonstrating commitment to all the 
members of the family. This includes following through with promises, 
working as a team, open and honest communication about important 
decisions and reflections on the passing day. All families experience 
crisis, but strong and committed families use these experiences to 
learn and to grow. Family members should spend time together talking, 
reading, playing games, and participating in outdoor activities. They 
should always encourage each other and be involved in their 
neighborhoods and community, where the strength of our Nation starts. A 
National Children and Families Day will highlight these important 
activities in which families engage and their positive effects on our 
nation.
  A National Children and Families Day also would focus our attention 
on the need for citizens and Congress to work toward ensuring that 
every child has a loving family. It is so unfortunate that there are 
millions of children in our country who do not have the ability to 
experience on a daily basis, a regular basis, or even an occasional 
basis the love and care of a stable family relationship. These include 
children who are involved in the child welfare system.
  A National Children and Families Day will help members of Congress 
focus on ways to enhance and improve the quality of life for all 
children and families via the programs under our jurisdictions, whether 
by supporting family-friendly business policies, quality health care, 
or quality child care. Strong families help make a strong Nation.
  While we honor the 4th Saturday of June this year in recognition of 
the importance of children and their families, it must not stop on one 
day. Every day families must work at keeping each other strong and 
loved. And we as a Nation and Congress as a body must never cease our 
support for the American family and the children that are the future.

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