Expressing support for designation of September as National Child Awareness Month.

Madam Speaker, I was not present for the following roll call votes. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows:

On rollcall No. 454, on H. Con. Res. 292, Supporting the goals and ideals of National

Aerospace Week, and for other purposes, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 450, on H. Res. 1219, Expressing support for designation of September as National Child Awareness Month, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 449, on H. Con. Res. 126, Recognizing the 50th anniversary of Title VI international education programs within the Department of Education, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 448, on H. Res. 1472, Expressing support for designation of the week of September 13, 2010, as National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 372, on H.R. 5297, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 293, on H.R. 5330, To Amend the Antitrust Criminal Penalty Enhancement and Reform Act of 2004 to Extend the Operation of Such Act for a 5-Year Period Ending June 22, 2015, and for Other Purposes, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 292, H.R. 1017, Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 291, H. Con. Res. 278, Expressing the Sense of Congress That a Grateful Nation Supports and Salutes Sons and Daughters in Touch on Its 20th Anniversary That is Being Held on Father's Day, 2010, at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, the District of Columbia, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 213, H. Res. 1271, Honoring the Life and Achievements of Rev. Benjamin Lawson Hooks, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 212, H. Res. 1257, Supporting the Goals and Ideals of National Financial Literacy Month, 2010, and for Other Purposes, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 172, H. Res. 1205, Providing for Consideration of the Bill (H.R. 4849) to Amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to Provide Tax Incentives for Small Business Job Creation, Extend the Build America Bonds Program, Provide Other Infrastructure Job Creation Tax Incentives, and for Other Purposes (On Ordering the Previous Question), I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 153, On Approving the Journal, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 84, H. Res. 699, Expressing the Appreciation of Congress for the Service and Sacrifice of the Members of the 139th Airlift Wing, Air National Guard, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 50, H.R. 4238, To Designate the Facility of the United States Postal Service Located at 930 39th Avenue in Greeley, Colorado, As the ``W.D. Farr Post Office Building'', I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 49, H.R. 4425, To Designate the Facility of the United States Postal Service Located at 2-116th Street in North Troy, New York, As the ``Martin G. `Marty' Mahar Post Office'', I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 19, H. Res. 1003, Expressing Support for the Designation of January 10, 2010, Through January 16, 2010, As National Influenza Vaccination Week, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 18, H. Res. 1011, Recognizing the Importance of Cervical Health and of Detecting Cervical Cancer During Its Earliest Stages and Supporting the Goals and Ideals of Cervical Health Awareness Month, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 17, H. Res. 990, Expressing Support for Designation of January 2010 As ``National Mentoring Month'', I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 5, H.R. 3892, To Designate the Facility of the United States Postal Service Located at 101 West Highway 64 Bypass in Roper, North Carolina, As the ``E.V. Wilkins Post Office'', I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 858, H. Res. 868, Honoring and Recognizing the Service and Achievements of Current and Former Female Members of the Armed Forces, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 381, H.R. 2847, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 109, H.J. Res. 38, Making Further Continuing Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2009, and for Other Purposes, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 108, H.J. Res. 38, Making Further Continuing Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2009, and for Other Purposes, I would have voted ``no.''

On rollcall No. 107, On Approving the Journal, I would have voted ``aye.''

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1219, expressing support for the designation of September as National Child Awareness Month. As schools across America reopen their doors this autumn, we pay special recognition to the charities and support groups who have made immeasurable contributions to America's children in the areas of education, health, social services, sports, arts and character development.

As a father of triplets, I know firsthand the challenges associated with childhood development and the importance of having a strong support system to help guide our children into the 21st century. This September, National Child Awareness Month will serve as a reminder that all individuals, regardless of their status as an educator or parent, can play an important role in the development of our youth.

The growth of our children does not stop at the school house gates. In my district, the Festival of Children Foundation has been a leading advocate for improving the lives of children through social development. Through the efforts of organizations like the Festival of Children Foundation, an increasing number of our youth are reaching their potential, and achieving the possible dream. Sandy Segerstrom Daniels, a leading business professional and children's advocate founded the Festival of Children in 2002 as a center for charities to come together and collaborate. The Segerstrom family is a well- respected family in Orange County.

The story of the Segerstrom family is the quintessential American Dream. The family emigrated from Sweden near the turn of the last century and began a lima bean farm in Costa Mesa. Their success was no mistake--their hard work and dedication eventually led to a successful business that allowed them to give back to the same community that made their success possible. And they did so with incredible generosity. Among the Segerstroms' many contributions to Orange County are the Orange County Performing Arts Center, South Coast Plaza, and Segerstrom High School. The Festival of Children Foundation exemplifies the best of not only the Segerstrom family, but of Orange County--a county they helped build.

Orange County, California is identified by many as a conservative county. As such, Orange County is a family-based community where individuals believe in helping one another--where people reach into their own pockets to invest in the wellbeing of its youth and others who are at-need. For these selfless acts, we all owe a debt of gratitude for the immeasurable achievements made by the Festival of Children Foundation, Nancy Segerstom Daniels, and all charitable organizations that positively impact the lives of America's youth.

I am hopeful the goals and ideals National Child Awareness Month will not only be recognized this September, but every month of the year, as the fate of our nation relies on each succeeding generation.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1219) expressing support for designation of September as National Child Awareness Month.

Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1219 into the record.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise today in support of House Resolution 1219, which supports the designation of the month of September as Child Awareness Month and encourages us to focus on children and youth nationwide as the school year begins.

There are more than 75 million children in the United States today, and they represent the hopes and future of our country. Throughout America, thousands of individuals, organizations, and schools are working to enrich the lives of our children and youth, and they deserve our thanks. Child Awareness Month raises awareness of these organizations and charities that provide access to health care, social services, education, the arts, sports, and other services for our kids.

We know today how a child's early years are truly critical to their development as adults, and how important it is to ensure that our children have access to quality health care, positive educational experiences, opportunities to participate in sports and healthy activities, and safe and nurturing home environments. Our Nation's child- and youth-serving organizations link children to the arts, encourage them to set new fitness goals, engage in school activities, and teach them to care for their communities.

During Child Awareness Month, corporations and businesses will join with national and local nonprofit groups to focus on children and youth returning to school. Some will provide free back-to-school supplies, while others will support fall athletics programs. While this nationwide focus is just 1 month long, it reminds us of our year-round commitment to build a better future for our children.

Madam Speaker, once again I express my support for Child Awareness Month, and I thank Representative Calvert for bringing this bill forward.

I urge my colleagues to join in support of this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I again express my support for Child Awareness Month. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this resolution.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, as the lead Democrat sponsor of H. Res. 1219 I rise in support of this bipartisan resolution expressing support for recognizing the month of September as National Child Awareness Month.

My colleague from California, Congressman Ken Calvert and I were pleased to introduce H. Res. 438 because it will raise awareness of children's charities and youth-serving organizations across the United States. This resolution recognizes that these organizations' efforts on behalf of children and youth are critical contributions to the future of our nation.

As we know, September is traditionally back-to-school month, a time when families focus on preparing children for the coming school year. In addition to academic preparation, it is also a time when the American public should be focused on the physical, social and economic well-being of our nation's children.

It is my hope that H. Res. 1219 will encourage more individuals to volunteer for or contribute to causes that help our children.

An enhanced awareness of children's charities and youth-serving organizations, made possible by this resolution, will assist these organizations' efforts to encourage volunteers to become involved in the lives of the most disadvantaged children in our communities across the country.

I am confident that National Child Awareness Month will serve as a banner that will unite charitable organizations of diverse missions, size, geography and scope to focus on a common goal--improving the lives of our nation's youth.

Many non-profit youth-serving organizations and charities across the country have expressed their strong support for the recognition of September as National Child Awareness Month.

I am hopeful that President Obama will share my enthusiasm and issue a Presidential Proclamation to designate September as National Child Awareness Month. With his support, both public and private programs across the nation will be acknowledged for their contributions to ensuring our children's well-being.

In the meantime, I would like to thank my colleagues for their unanimous support for the adoption of H. Res. 1219--expressing support for designation of September as National Child Awareness Month as it will serve to bring the nation's focus back to the one resource that guarantees our future success--our children.

Madam Speaker, I stand in strong support of House Resolution 1219, a bipartisan resolution which expresses the sense of the U.S. House of Representatives that National Child Awareness Month should be established in the month of September.

September is traditionally ``back-to-school'' month, a time when families focus on preparing children for the coming school year. Recognizing September as National Child Awareness Month will heighten the American public's attentiveness to the importance of our children's health, education, safety and character development through the ongoing efforts of the numerous organizations and individuals who help to protect and nurture them. With this resolution we express our support for a month-long effort to recognize the importance of children in our society as they grow into responsible citizens.

It is widely recognized that a strong, supportive family unit is the most important factor in the well-being of a child. Unfortunately there is no guarantee that every child will have a support system to depend on. Thankfully there are many organizations that provide for the most disadvantaged children in communities across the country. Even children with solid support systems benefit from youth-serving organizations which enrich their lives through activities such as sports, the arts, philanthropy and further education outside of the classroom.

I would like to extend my sincerest appreciation to the 40 bipartisan cosponsors and to the gentlelady from Orange County, California, the Democratic lead sponsor, Loretta Sanchez and her staff, for their efforts on behalf of this resolution. In addition I would like to extend a special thanks to the Education and Labor Committee for moving the bill quickly. It is my hope that Senators Feinstein and Burr will quickly pass a companion resolution in the Senate chamber and that President Obama will by Presidential Proclamation designate September as National Child Awareness Month so that the many child-focused programs of the federal government might also be highlighted.

Most importantly, I commend the many local and national youth-serving organizations and charities dedicated to the well-being of children across the Nation and the world.