[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 6061]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 125--DESIGNATING APRIL 30, 2013, AS ``DIA DE LOS 
                  NINOS: CELEBRATING YOUNG AMERICANS''

  Mr. MENENDEZ (for himself, Mr. Reid, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Durbin, Mrs. 
Murray, Ms. Landrieu, and Mr. Lautenberg) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 125

       Whereas many countries throughout the world, and especially 
     within the Western hemisphere, celebrate ``Dia de los 
     Ninos'', or ``Day of the Children'', on April 30 each year, 
     in recognition and celebration of the future of their 
     country--their children;
       Whereas children represent the hopes and dreams of the 
     people of the United States and children are the center of 
     families in the United States;
       Whereas the people of the United States should nurture and 
     invest in children to preserve and enhance economic 
     prosperity, democracy, and the spirit of the United States;
       Whereas, according to the 2011 American Community Survey by 
     the Bureau of the Census, approximately 17,400,000 of the 
     nearly 52,000,000 individuals of Hispanic descent living in 
     the United States are children under the age of 18, 
     representing more than 33 percent of the total Hispanic 
     population residing in the United States;
       Whereas Hispanics, the youngest and fastest growing ethnic 
     community in the United States, continue the tradition of 
     honoring their children on Dia de los Ninos, and wish to 
     share this custom with the rest of the United States;
       Whereas the primary teachers of family values, morality, 
     and culture are parents and family members, and children are 
     responsible for passing on family values, morality, and 
     culture to future generations;
       Whereas the importance of literacy and education is most 
     often communicated to children through their family members;
       Whereas families should be encouraged to engage in family 
     and community activities that include extended and elderly 
     family members and encourage children to explore and develop 
     confidence;
       Whereas the designation of a day to honor the children of 
     the United States will help affirm the significance of 
     family, education, and community for the people of the United 
     States;
       Whereas the designation of a day of special recognition for 
     the children of the United States will provide an opportunity 
     for children to reflect on their future, articulate their 
     aspirations, and find comfort and security in the support of 
     their family members and communities;
       Whereas the National Latino Children's Institute, serving 
     as a voice for children, has worked with cities throughout 
     the United States to declare April 30, 2013, to be ``Dia de 
     los Ninos: Celebrating Young Americans'', a day to bring 
     together Hispanics and other communities in the United States 
     to celebrate and uplift children; and
       Whereas the children of a country are the responsibility of 
     all of the people of that country, and people should be 
     encouraged to celebrate the gifts of children to society: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates April 30, 2013, as ``Dia de los Ninos: 
     Celebrating Young Americans''; and
       (2) calls on the people of the United States to join with 
     all children, families, organizations, communities, churches, 
     cities, and States across the United States to observe the 
     day with appropriate ceremonies, including activities that--
       (A) center around children and are free or minimal in cost 
     so as to encourage and facilitate the participation of all 
     people;
       (B) are positive and uplifting, and help children express 
     their hopes and dreams;
       (C) provide opportunities for children of all backgrounds 
     to learn about one another's cultures and share ideas;
       (D) include all members of a family, especially extended 
     and elderly family members, so as to promote greater 
     communication among the generations within a family, which 
     will enable children to appreciate and benefit from the 
     experiences and wisdom of their elderly family members;
       (E) provide opportunities for families within a community 
     to get acquainted; and
       (F) provide children with the support they need to develop 
     skills and confidence and find the inner strength, will, and 
     fire of the human spirit to make their dreams come true.

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