SR0092 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0092 LRB097 11031 GRL 51951 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois developed the world's first juvenile court in 1899, and has consistently been a leader in protecting children and promoting their rights; and

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois is committed to the health, safety, education, and growth of its children and children everywhere; and

WHEREAS, The United States, based on its history and tradition of human rights and responsibilities, must demonstrate its dedication to provide all children with a better today and a better tomorrow; and

WHEREAS, Children in the United States continue to face considerable hardships, including inadequate educational opportunities, and high rates of poverty, abuse, and neglect, hunger, infant mortality, incarceration, adolescent pregnancy, homicide, and suicide; and

WHEREAS, Every child is entitled to the fundamental necessities of life, including the rights to food, clothing, shelter, health care, and education, protection from abuse, neglect, and exploitation, and freedom from discrimination; and

WHEREAS, It is the responsibility of the government to ensure that all children and their families receive the level of support necessary for the realization of these rights; and

WHEREAS, Each child, for the full and harmonious development of his or her personality, should grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love, and understanding; and

WHEREAS, On November 20, 1989, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which was drafted with the specific purpose of promoting and protection the well-being of all children, regardless of national boundaries; and

WHEREAS, The Convention on the Rights of the Child has been ratified by 193 nations, who have used this document to guide the development and implementation of policies and programs that specifically meet the needs of children and families; and

WHEREAS, The United States and Somalia are the only two nations that are party to the United Nations that have not ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child; and

WHEREAS, The United States formally signed the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1995, signifying its intent to ratify the Convention; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we call upon all agencies in the State of Illinois, in particular those concerned with the following activities as they relate to child welfare - economic opportunity, education, health care, housing, juvenile justice, nutrition, protection, and recreation for children - ensure that their policies and programs comply with the Convention on the Rights of the Child; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge the President of the United States to submit the Convention on the Rights of the Child to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for review; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge the Senate of the United States to ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the President, the Minority and Majority Leaders of the United States Senate, and United States Senators Dick Durbin and Mark Kirk.