SRES129APR29

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Week Ending April 29, 2005

Senate Resolution 128 designating April 20, 2005 as “Dia di los Ninos: Celebrating Young Americans”, and for other purposes.

BRIEF

Although the Resolution preamble puts forth that Americans should, like Hispanic and other cultures, honor their children on April 30^th as the conduit to the future for present day culture, values and progress it morph quickly to note that by 2050 one in four Americans will be of Hispanic descent and that 12.5 million Hispanic children live in the US and then concludes that 500,000 Hispanic children drop out of school each year.

On the other hand, the Resolution urges all Americans to celebrate the day with affordable activities that uplift children’s spirit to learn about others and to pursue and achieve their dreams.

Sponsor: Senator Orrin G. Hatch (R-UT)

Vote: Pass Senate by Unanimous Consent (April 28, 2005)

Cost to the taxpayers: No discernible cost.

MORE INFORMATION

S. Res. 128

Whereas many nations throughout the world, and especially within the Western hemisphere, celebrate ``Día de los Ninos'', or ``Day of the Children'' on the 30th of April, in recognition and celebration of their country's future--their children;

Whereas children represent the hopes and dreams of the people of the United States;

Whereas children are the center of American families;

Whereas children should be nurtured and invested in to preserve and enhance economic prosperity, democracy, and the American spirit;

Whereas Hispanics in the United States, the youngest and fastest growing ethnic community in the Nation, continue the tradition of honoring their children on this day, and wish to share this custom with the rest of the Nation;

Whereas 1 in 4 Americans is projected to be of Hispanic descent by the year 2050, and as of 2003, approximately 12,300,000 Hispanic children live in the United States;

Whereas traditional Hispanic family life centers largely on children;

Whereas the primary teachers of family values, morality, and culture are parents and family members, and we rely on children to pass on these family values, morals, and culture to future generations;

Whereas more than 500,000 children drop out of school each year, and Hispanic dropout rates are unacceptably high;

Whereas the importance of literacy and education are most often communicated to children through 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, develop confidence, and pursue their dreams;

Whereas the designation of a day to honor the children of the United States will help affirm for the people of the United States the significance of family, education, and community;

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, to articulate their dreams and aspirations, and to 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 country to declare April 30 as ``Día de los Ninos: Celebrating Young Americans''--a day to bring together Hispanics and other communities nationwide to celebrate and uplift children; and

Whereas the children of a nation are the responsibility of all its people, and people should be encouraged to celebrate the gifts of children to society--their curiosity, laughter, faith, energy, spirit, hopes, and dreams: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate--

(1) designates April 30, 2005, as ``Día 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 our people;

(B) are positive and uplifting and that help children express their hopes and dreams;

(D) include all members of the family, and especially extended and elderly family members, so as to promote greater communication among the generations within a family, enabling 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 to find the inner strength--the will and fire of the human spirit--to make their dreams come true.

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