WHEREAS, On June 1, 1996, Americans from all backgrounds will come together to take a "Stand For Children" at the Lincoln memorial in Washington, D.C. and renew our community's commitment to improving the quality of our children's lives; and

WHEREAS, A Rhode Island observance of "Stand For Children" will be held in the State House Rotunda on Wednesday May 29, 1996; and

WHEREAS, On Rhode Island Stand For Children Day and beyond, families, citizens, members of religious congregations, schools, community-based organizations, businesses, and political and cultural groups will join together as a local and national community to recognize our children's unmet needs and rededicate ourselves to addressing them; and

WHEREAS, Caring for children must be our families', community's, state's, and nation's first priority; and

WHEREAS, This commitment must begin at the local level--where children and families live and work and have the potential to thrive, and where all citizens, working together, can make a difference in our children's lives; their economic well-being, health, early care and education, and safety; now therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby proclaims May 29, 1996 as Rhode Island Stand For Children Day; and be it further

RESOLVED, That all Rhode Island citizens be and are hereby urged to support this day through their presence in Providence, Rhode Island, and by dedicating ourselves to the task of improving the quality of life for all our children and leaving no child behind, for all our children from this day forward; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Rhode Island Stand For Children Committee.