[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 8] [House] [Pages 10146-10147] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF A NATIONAL CHILDREN AND FAMILIES DAY Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 763) supporting the goals and ideals of a National Children and Families Day, in order to encourage adults in the United States to support and listen to children and to help children throughout the Nation achieve their hopes and dreams, and for other purposes. The Clerk read as follows: H. Res. 763 Whereas research shows that spending time together as a family is critical to raising strong and resilient kids; [[Page 10147]] Whereas strong healthy families improve the quality of life and the development of children; Whereas it is essential to celebrate and reflect upon the important role that all families play in the lives of children and their positive effect for the Nation's future; and Whereas the country's greatest natural resource is its children: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports the goals and ideals of a National Children and Families Day to-- (1) encourage adults to support, listen to, and encourage children throughout the Nation; (2) reflect upon the important role that all families play in the lives of children; and (3) recognize that strong, healthy families improve the quality of life and the development of children. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California. General Leave Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the resolution under consideration. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from California? There was no objection. Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 763, which will support the goals and ideals of National Children and Families Day. H. Res. 763, which currently has 54 bipartisan cosponsors, passed the full Government Reform Committee with unanimous consent on May 4, 2006. Too often we overlook the importance of a strong family in our everyday lives and most importantly its impact on our children. Our children are our country's most vital resource, and we should strive to do everything possible to prepare them to lead healthy, productive lives as they mature into adulthood. There is nothing more important to any of us, whether we are adult or child, than to have a sense of family and tradition, but most important, to have a feeling of belonging. Too often here in this great country, we hear about the breakdown of the family. A nationally proclaimed family and children's day will be a bridge to our future and will help us restore the Nation's greatness. Mr. Speaker, this day can serve to be a reminder to all of us to encourage children everywhere to achieve their hopes and dreams. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. Mr. Speaker, families teach children the lessons they must learn to be happy and to prosper. They also care for children by giving them love and warmth and providing food, shelter and financial support. {time} 2200 While families may handle problems differently, families can develop the following traits to become strong and to improve the quality of life and the development of children. Families learn how to show love and affection towards each other. And no matter what children say or do, children need to know that their parents love them. Children must know that they are loved even though they have different strengths or weaknesses. And when children make mistakes, parents can let them know they are loved as they help them to discover how to learn from mistakes. 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, and talking to one another about important decisions and daily plans. All families experience crisis, but strong families use these experiences to learn and to grow. Family members should spend time together talking, reading, playing games, and taking walks. They should encourage each other and be involved in their neighborhoods and community. A National Families and Children's Day will encourage families to embrace these traits and will highlight the important role all families play in the lives of children and their positive effect for the Nation's future. It is so unfortunate that there are millions of children in our country who don't have the ability to experience on a daily basis, on a regular basis, on an ongoing basis the love and care of a stable family relationship; children who are institutionalized or children who move from one foster situation to another. Hopefully, as we continue to learn how to enhance and improve the quality of life, we will better learn how to strengthen and develop family structures and the reality that strong families help make for a strong Nation. Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 763. This resolution passed out of my committee with unanimous consent on May 4th and has support from Members on both sides of the aisle. This resolution supports the goals and ideals of a national children and families day to encourage adults to support and listen to their children to help them achieve their hopes and dreams. Being a parent is the toughest job an individual will ever have, but it is important to recognize that strong, healthy families improve the quality of life and the development of children. In today's fast-paced society, and with so many demands placed on adults and children alike, it is important to take the time out and recognize the basic necessity of encouraging our Nation's youth as they are the future of this great Nation. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, I urge passage, and I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 763. The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________