U.S Senate Resolution 342 introduced to designate April 30th
El Día de los Niños Celebrating Young Americans

San Antonio, TX – Thousands of children look forward to the signing of a Senate Resolution declaring April 30th El Día de los Niños Celebrating Young Americans.

Children’s day is traditionally observed in México, Latin America and other countries to honor children. In the United States, Senator Orin Hatch has shown his support for establishing a children’s day by introducing, for the sixth consecutive year a Senate Resolution (SR 342) designating April 30th as an official commemorative day for El Día de los Niños Celebrating Young Americans.

Encouraged by the passage of U. S. Senate Resolution 278 in 1998 and bipartisan support every year; the number of communities already celebrating El Día de los Niños Celebrating Young Americans has grown to include hundreds of cities ranging from Los Angeles, CA, the Bronx, NY, Brownsville, TX, Silver Springs MD, Columbus, OH and many others.

“What started as a celebration with a Latino flavor has become a unifying celebration reflecting all cultures in a community,” says Rebeca Barrera, president of the National Latino Children’s Institute. NLCI organized the first citywide celebration in 1998.

Today, NLCI provides information and helps other communities to organize committees and plan their own event. Every celebration is unique, drawing on the talents, strengths and cultural heritage of the community. Certain elements like the official Dia de los Niños song and the children’s parade can be found in many celebrations,

More than just a celebration, El Día de los Niños Celebrating Young Americans is used in many communities as a catalyst to draw attention to the issues affecting the healthy development of all children.

This year, many communities will have literacy at the heart of many of the activities. In El Paso, Texas, 42,000 children received books at the Dia de los Niños Literacy Fair at Washington Park on April 24th. In Garden City, Indiana, the library hosted a special story time and play activities for children and their families. Mervyn’s and Scholastic have supported literacy activities in many Dia de los Niños events.

Outdoor games, water activities, parachute games, races and other activities are planned with an emphasis on health and safety. Nationwide Insurance in Columbus, OH participates annually as a corporate sponsor for El Día de los Niños Celebrating Young Americans.

Children are encouraged to voice their hopes and dreams through Milagros, an arts and crafts activity that has become part of many of the celebrations. Discount School Supply offers year-round discounts on arts and crafts materials in support of El Día de los Niños Celebrating Young Americans.

Corporations and sponsors provide entertainment, volunteers and many other fun experiences for children to enjoy on their special day. Children are our future, and every year more cities are taking time to honor and celebrate them.