Amending the Rules of the House of Representatives to expand the jurisdiction of the Committee on Small Business to include nonprofit organizations.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the observance of October as National Work and Family Month. Last Congress, the House of Representatives passed with unanimous support H. Res. 768, a resolution that I introduced supporting this same goal and requesting the President to issue a proclamation calling for the observance of October as National Work and Family Month. Now that October has arrived this year, I want to call our attention once again to this effort to strengthen America's families, improve our work environments, and create a stronger economy and society.

It is an unfortunate fact that many Americans are unhappy with both their work environments and, even worse, their lives in general. The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, an ongoing research project to measure Americans' perceptions of their well-being, has found that 53 percent of Americans are unsatisfied with their work environment. Even more disturbing, the Well-Being Index found an equal percentage of Americans states that their lives as a whole are ``suffering'' or ``struggling,'' as opposed to ``thriving.''

In this time of economic hardship, Congress cannot delay any longer. We must work together to find solutions to help rebalance the

family and work responsibilities of American workers. Such a rebalancing would create a healthier and happier workforce, likely resulting in higher worker productivity and a stronger economy overall. In addition, American families will be strengthened as parents spend more time at home with each other and their children. Countless studies have documented the positive effects that more engaged parents have on their children's development, particularly in terms of education and health. Moreover, studies suggest that children with cohesive and supportive families are less likely to do drugs or commit other crimes, and more likely to excel in school.

Ultimately, this is the type of America we must foster and leave for the next generation. Our workers should be as happy as they are productive. Our parents should be as successful in the home as they are in their careers. Our children should grow up in families that are as nurturing as they are cohesive. Recognizing and celebrating October as National Work and Family Month is the first step to reinvigorate the American worker and family.