* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Holton
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
Title
In Support of National Family Month
FOR the purpose of expressing support for the national celebration of the family and recognizing the importance of the more than 125,000 families in Baltimore City that provide the spiritual, economic, and social "threads" that secure the fabric of our many diverse neighborhoods.
Body
Recitals
U. S. Census figures show that, in 2005, there were 243,000 households in Baltimore City with an average household size of 2.5 people. Families make up to 52% of these households - this figure includes both married-couple families (24 percent) and other families (28 percent) - , and nonfamily households made up 48 percent. In homage to the families of Baltimore, the Baltimore City Council endorses House Concurrent Resolution # 302:
Recognizing the importance of children and families in the United States
and expressing support for the goals of National Kids Day(r) and National Family Month(r).
Whereas, there is an epidemic of children in crisis in the United States caused by the increased stresses on children from contemporary society, which can even include instances of child abuse and neglect;
Whereas, newspaper headlines, news reports, and various studies provide evidence that children are more frequently committing acts of violence, taking illegal drugs, and committing suicide, indicating that the future of the children of the United States, and therefore the future of the Nation, is at risk;
Whereas, all families in the United States, regardless of their economic status, ethnic or cultural heritage, or geographic location, are experiencing the pressures caused by contemporary society while trying to raise and nurture their children;
Whereas, it is imperative that the people of the United States act boldly to secure the future of the Nation by halting and healing the pain of children in crisis;
Whereas, KidsPeace is the oldest, most successful, and most comprehensive not-
for-profit organization dedicated solely to helping children attain the confidence and develop the courage necessary to confront and overcome crises;
Whereas, KidsPeace has more than 1,500 caregivers helping more than 2,000 children each day in 25 locations across the United States;
Whereas, KidsPeace established National KidsDay and National Family Month to recognize and focus attention on relationships between parents and children;
Whereas, National KidsDay is celebrated on the third Saturday of September, during the period when children are returning to school, when children are subject to a very high level of stress, and when there is a critical need for children to feel honored, valued, supported, and loved;
Whereas, National Family Month is celebrated during the five-week period between Mother's Day in May and Father's Day in June, which is a critical adjustment period for families to prepare for children to return to the home at the end of the school year and can provide a wonderful opportunity for families to prepare to use their time together during the summer to grow and strengthen as a family unit; and
Whereas, these celebrations can provide opportunities for parents, grandparents, and caregivers to recognize the importance of being involved in the physical and emotional lives of their children: Now, therefore be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That the Congress-
recognizes the importance of children and families to the future of the United States;
expresses support for the goals of National KidsDay and National Family Month, as established by KidsPeace; and
encourages the people of the United States to participate in local and national activities and celebrations recognizing National KidsDay and National Family Month.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That this Body supports the national celebration of the family and recognizes the importance of the more than 125,000 families in Baltimore City that provide the spiritual, economical, and social "threads" that secure the fabric of our many diverse neighborhoods.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the Maryland Congressional Delegation, the Executive Director of the Mayor's Office of State Relations, and the Mayor's Liaison to the City Council.
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