HR1143 LRB096 21971 GRL 40372 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The State of Illinois developed the world's first
3 juvenile court in 1899, and has consistently been a leader in
4 protecting children and promoting their rights; and
 
5     WHEREAS, The State of Illinois is committed to the health,
6 safety, education, and growth of its children and children
7 everywhere; and
 
8     WHEREAS, The United States, based on its history and
9 tradition of human rights and responsibilities, must
10 demonstrate its dedication to provide all children with a
11 better today and a better tomorrow; and
 
12     WHEREAS, Children in the United States continue to face
13 considerable hardships, including inadequate educational
14 opportunities, and high rates of poverty, abuse, and neglect,
15 hunger, infant mortality, incarceration, adolescent pregnancy,
16 homicide, and suicide; and
 
17     WHEREAS, Every child is entitled to the fundamental
18 necessities of life, including the rights to food, clothing,
19 shelter, health care, and education, protection from abuse,
20 neglect, and exploitation, and freedom from discrimination;
21 and
 

 

 

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1     WHEREAS, It is the responsibility of the government to
2 ensure that all children and their families receive the level
3 of support necessary for the realization of these rights; and
 
4     WHEREAS, Each child, for the full and harmonious
5 development of his or her personality, should grow up in a
6 family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love, and
7 understanding; and
 
8     WHEREAS, On November 20, 1989, the United Nations General
9 Assembly unanimously adopted the Convention on the Rights of
10 the Child, which was drafted with the specific purpose of
11 promoting and protection the well-being of all children,
12 regardless of national boundaries; and
 
13     WHEREAS, The Convention on the Rights of the Child has been
14 ratified by 193 nations, who have used this document to guide
15 the development and implementation of policies and programs
16 that specifically meet the needs of children and families; and
 
17     WHEREAS, The United States and Somalia are the only two
18 nations that are party to the United Nations that have not
19 ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child; and
 
20     WHEREAS, The United States formally signed the Convention

 

 

HR1143 - 3 - LRB096 21971 GRL 40372 r

1 on the Rights of the Child in 1995, signifying its intent to
2 ratify the Convention; therefore, be it
 
3     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
4 NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
5 call upon all agencies in the State of Illinois, in particular
6 those concerned with the following activities as they relate to
7 child welfare - economic opportunity, education, health care,
8 housing, juvenile justice, nutrition, protection, and
9 recreation for children - ensure that their policies and
10 programs comply with the Convention on the Rights of the Child;
11 and be it further
 
12     RESOLVED, That we urge the President of the United States
13 to submit the Convention on the Rights of the Child to the
14 Senate Foreign Relations Committee for review; and be it
15 further
 
16     RESOLVED, That we urge the Senate of the United States to
17 ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child; and be it
18 further
 
19     RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
20 presented to the President, the Minority and Majority Leaders
21 of the United States Senate, and United States Senators Dick
22 Durbin and Roland Burris.