The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“SUPPORTING DESIGNATION OF YEAR OF THE FATHER” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Justice was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H4692-H4693 on June 23, 2010.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
SUPPORTING DESIGNATION OF YEAR OF THE FATHER
Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 285) recognizing the important role that fathers play in the lives of their children and families and supporting the goals and ideals of designating 2010 as the Year of the Father.
The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:
H. Con. Res. 285
Whereas Father's Day was founded in 1910 by Mrs. John B. Dodd after attending a Mother's Day celebration in 1909 and believing that fathers should receive the same recognition;
Whereas Mrs. John B. Dodd, Sonora Smart Dodd, founded the day in celebration of her father, William Smart;
Whereas William Smart, a Civil War veteran, raised six children on his own after the death of his wife;
Whereas Spokane, Washington, recognized and hosted the first celebration of Father's Day on June 19, 1910;
Whereas in 1924, President Calvin Coolidge recognized Father's Day and urged States to follow suit;
Whereas in 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a proclamation calling for the third Sunday in June to be recognized as Father's Day and requested that flags be flown that day on all government buildings;
Whereas President Richard Nixon signed a proclamation in 1972 permanently observing Father's Day on the third Sunday in June;
Whereas Father's Day is celebrated in over 50 countries around the world;
Whereas there are an estimated 64.3 million fathers around the Nation today;
Whereas it is well documented that children involved with loving fathers are significantly more likely to have healthy self-esteems, exhibit empathy and prosocial behavior, avoid high risk behaviors, have reduced antisocial behavior and delinquency in boys, have better peer relationships, and have higher occupational mobility relative to parents;
Whereas fathers who live with their children are more likely to have a close, enduring relationship with their children than those who do not; and
Whereas the 100th anniversary of Father's Day will be celebrated in Spokane, Washington, on June 20, 2010: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress--
(1) recognizes the important role that fathers play in the lives of their children and families; and
(2) supports the goals and ideals of the Year of the Father.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne) and the gentlewoman from Washington (Mrs. McMorris Rodgers) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.
General Leave
Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Concurrent Resolution 285 into the Record.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from New Jersey?
There was no objection.
Mr. PAYNE. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 285, which honors and celebrates the observance of the centennial anniversary of Father's Day this past Sunday, and to recognize the importance of fatherhood. This resolution highlights the long history of Father's Day, first celebrated on June 19, 1910, to honor the love and commitment that fathers give our children and their families.
Every year on the third Sunday in June, families across this Nation stop to thank fathers for the hard work and dedication it takes to be a supportive and involved parent. The tradition of Father's Day began 100 years ago in Spokane, Washington. The day was first recognized nationally by President Coolidge in 1924, who urged States to follow suit. President Nixon signed the proclamation in 1972 permanently observing Father's Day as the third Sunday in June.
Supportive fathers play a significant and influential role in their child's development. Children with loving fathers generally have healthier self-esteem, better peer relationships, more pro-social behavior, and an enjoyment of learning new skills. A positive environment at home also helps children thrive academically and get involved in extracurricular activities.
By commending the hard work and dedication of fathers during the centennial celebration of Father's Day, we encourage responsible fatherhood and happy, successful, and stronger families and communities.
I want to thank Representative McMorris Rodgers for bringing this resolution to the floor and urge my colleagues to pass this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Concurrent Resolution 285, recognizing the important role that fathers play in the lives of their children and family, and recognizing this year, 2010, as the ``year of the father.''
Unbeknownst to many, Father's Day has an especially significant meaning to the people of Spokane, Washington. This past Sunday, the city of Spokane celebrated the 100th anniversary of the founding of Father's Day, a national tradition that began in 1909 by a local Spokane woman, Sonora Smart Dodd. Looking for a way to recognize her father and those like him, Sonora Dodd publicly recognized her father in 1909, a Civil War veteran who raised six children on his own after the death of his wife. From there, the city of Spokane established the first celebration of Father's Day at the local YMCA in 1910, and in the years following the celebration spread around the Nation. The resolution that we are considering today is a way to demonstrate our appreciation to fathers everywhere and to recognize the critical role they play in our lives.
Research in the field confirms that children whose fathers play a significant role in their lives are much more likely to lead productive and healthy lives. Moreover, children with involved fathers are much more likely to have close, enduring relationships.
I would like to congratulate Spokane on its 100th anniversary and recognize all the fathers out there like my own who have and continue to do so much for their children and families.
I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I urge the support of House Concurrent Resolution 285.
As a father of three, grandfather of triplet grandchildren and another--four grandchildren, and one great grandchild, I certainly am here to say that I think that Father's Day is a wonderful day. I was very privileged to have my children take me to a wonderful brunch, as they do every Father's Day.
Mr. Speaker, I ask the House to vote in favor of this resolution.
Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in order to express my support for H. Con. Res. 285, which recognizes the important role that fathers play in the lives of their children and families and supports the goals and ideals of designating 2010 as the Year of the Father. I would also like to commend Representative McMorris Rodgers for sponsoring this bill and showing her commitment to recognizing the crucial role of fathers.
I grew up with both of my parents in my life. My father worked for the Department of Justice for a large portion of his career. He eventually became the Director of Classifications and Paroles for the Bureau of Prisons and was the highest ranking African-American in the Bureau at that time. I saw my father work hard everyday in an effort to provide for his family. His value system transferred to me, and I make it a point to influence my children in the same way my father positively influenced me. I know without a doubt that my father helped me to develop into the man I am today.
There are numerous studies and statistics that all show fathers are crucial to the development of a child. Children who grow up with the love and care of their fathers are more likely to exhibit strong self-
confidence and are more likely to avoid high-risk behaviors.
In honoring fathers with this resolution, I would also like to offer a challenge to all fathers to make an effort to develop healthy, loving relationships with their children. I challenge fathers not to be in the words of the Temptations ``rolling stones,'' but solid rocks on which their families can depend on.
Mr. Speaker, it is with upmost sincerity that I support this solution and I urge my colleagues to do the same. It is my hope that this resolution serves as an inspiration for fathers all across this great Nation.
Mr. PAYNE. I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 285.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
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