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

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. 438) 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 438 into the Record.

I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 438, which designates September as National Child Awareness Month.

Today, thousands of individuals, such as guardians, effective teachers, and youth-serving organizations, enhance the lives of young people and prepare them for success. They recognize that without the appropriate supports, the children of our country cannot grow into healthy, educated, self-sufficient adults.

National Child Awareness Month is an opportunity for this country to honor her children's charities and youth-serving organizations across the United States that uplift our youth. Organizations such as the YMCA, one of the Nation's most prominent youth-serving organizations, is an example. It serves almost 9.5 million children each year. They have implemented over 500,000 programs nationwide to strengthen the mind, the body, and the soul of our youth.

Of course, the YMCA is not alone when it comes to serving our youth. The Boys and Girls Clubs, Big Brother Big Sister, the Children's Defense Fund, the National Education Association, and many other organizations have a long history of providing support for our children and youth.

While we want to designate September as National Child Awareness Month, we must also remember that it is a long-term commitment that will ensure the advancement of our children. This long-term commitment includes the President's education, health care, and environment agenda that I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate in making a reality. Our children deserve no less.

I want to thank Representative Sanchez for bringing this resolution forward.

Madam Speaker, once again, I express my support for House Resolution 438, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, the importance of recognizing the impact we can have on our children through programs, through resources, through legislation, through budgeted areas that can support their development are all reason to support this legislation which brings it to laser sharp focus during the month of September where we dedicate a month to growing awareness of the needs of our children.

For those reasons, I strongly support this resolution and encourage our colleagues to do likewise.

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, as the sponsor of H. Res. 438 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. 438 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. 438--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.

I yield back my time, Madam Speaker.