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[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 854 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 854

 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United 
States should become a state party to the United Nations Convention on 
                        the Rights of the Child.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 12, 2020

Ms. Omar submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                      Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United 
States should become a state party to the United Nations Convention on 
                        the Rights of the Child.

Whereas the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) was 
        adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on November 20, 1989;
Whereas the UNCRC entered into force on September 2, 1990;
Whereas the United States played a pivotal role in the drafting of the UNCRC and 
        was the main proponent of many of the Convention's articles;
Whereas the United States signed the UNCRC on February 16, 1995, but has not yet 
        ratified the convention;
Whereas the United States is the only United Nations member state which has not 
        ratified the UNCRC;
Whereas the United States has demonstrated its commitment to the aims of the 
        UNCRC by ratifying two of its optional protocols, including the Optional 
        Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict and the 
        Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution, and Child 
        Pornography;
Whereas protecting the rights of children, preventing their exploitation and 
        abuse, meeting their basic needs, and helping them reach their full 
        potential are foundational to the development of a healthy society;
Whereas girls face disproportionate and differential human rights violations and 
        discrimination, including gender-based and sexual violence, sexual 
        harassment, trafficking, early and forced marriage, and unequal access 
        to education, health, food, and justice; and
Whereas alleviating child poverty and eliminating violence and discrimination 
        against children is essential to United States interests at home and 
        abroad: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives 
that--
            (1) the United States should become a state party to the 
        United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC);
            (2) the President should promptly seek the advice and 
        consent of the Senate to ratification of the UNCRC;
            (3) the United States Senate should approve United States 
        ratification of the UNCRC;
            (4) the President should, upon receiving approval from the 
        United States Senate, ratify the UNCRC; and
            (5) the United States should use its voice, vote, and 
        influence in bilateral and international relationships and 
        institutions to support the aims of the UNCRC.
                                 <all>
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