IV

105TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 302

Recognizing the importance of children and families in the United States

and expressing support for the goals of National KidsDay and National

Family Month.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

JULY 20, 1998

Mr. MCHALE (for himself, Mr. WOLF, Mr. ROEMER, Ms. PRYCE of Ohio, Mrs.

JOHNSON of Connecticut, Mr. FORD, Mr. ADAM SMITH of Washington,

Mr. BOEHLERT, Mr. LAFALCE, Ms. FURSE, Mr. WALSH, Mr. CALVERT,

Mr. POSHARD, Mr. MARTINEZ, Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas, Mr. GREENWOOD, Mr. GILMAN, Mr. ENGEL, Mr. ROMERO-BARCELO ́, Mr. MALONEY

of Connecticut, Ms. CARSON, Mr. FILNER, Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky, Mr.

GALLEGLY, Mr. HORN, Mr. MASCARA, Mr. COYNE, Mr. DOYLE, Mr.

BENTSEN, Mr. HASTINGS of Florida, Mr. HILLIARD, Mr. DAVIS of Florida, Mr. BLUNT, Mr. HOLDEN, Mr. WEXLER, Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN, Mr.

ENGLISH of Pennsylvania, Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon, and Mr. ETHERIDGE)

submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the

Committee on Reform and Oversight

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Recognizing the importance of children and families in the

United States and expressing support for the goals of

National KidsDay and National Family Month.

Whereas there is an epidemic of children in crisis in the

United States caused by the increased stresses on children from contemporary society, which can even include

instances of child abuse and neglect;
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•HCON 302 IH

Whereas newspaper headlines, news reports, and various

studies provide evidence that children are more frequently

committing acts of violence, taking illegal drugs, and

committing suicide, indicating that the future of the children of the United States, and therefore the future of the

Nation, is at risk;

Whereas all families in the United States, regardless of their

economic status, ethnic or cultural heritage, or geographic location, are experiencing the pressures caused by

contemporary society while trying to raise and nurture

their children;

Whereas it is imperative that the people of the United States

act boldly to secure the future of the Nation by halting

and healing the pain of children in crisis;

Whereas KidsPeace is the oldest, most successful, and most

comprehensive not-for-profit organization dedicated solely

to helping children attain the confidence and develop the

courage necessary to confront and overcome crises;

Whereas KidsPeace has more than 1,500 caregivers helping

more than 2,000 children each day in 25 locations across

the United States;

Whereas KidsPeace established National KidsDay and National Family Month to recognize and focus attention on

relationships between parents and children;

Whereas National KidsDay is celebrated on the third Saturday of September, during the period when children are

returning to school, when children are subject to a very

high level of stress, and when there is a critical need for

children to feel honored, valued, supported, and loved;

Whereas National Family Month is celebrated during the

five-week period between Mother’s Day in May and Fa-
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•HCON 302 IH

ther’s Day in June, which is a critical adjustment period

for families to prepare for children to return to the home

at the end of the school year and can provide a wonderful

opportunity for families to prepare to use their time together during the summer to grow and strengthen as a

family unit; and

Whereas these celebrations can provide opportunities for parents, grandparents, and caregivers to recognize the importance of being involved in the physical and emotional

lives of their children: Now, therefore be it

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That the Congress—

3 (1) recognizes the importance of children and

4 families to the future of the United States;

5 (2) expresses support for the goals of National

6 KidsDay and National Family Month, as established

7 by KidsPeace; and

8 (3) encourages the people of the United States

9 to participate in local and national activities and

10 celebrations recognizing National KidsDay and Na11 tional Family Month.

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