SENATE RESOLUTION 412--EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE DESIGNATION OF THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 4 THROUGH NOVEMBER 8, 2019, AS ``NATIONAL FAMILY SERVICE LEARNING WEEK''; Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 178
(Senate - November 07, 2019)
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[Pages S6480-S6481]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SENATE RESOLUTION 412--EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE DESIGNATION OF THE
WEEK OF NOVEMBER 4 THROUGH NOVEMBER 8, 2019, AS ``NATIONAL FAMILY
SERVICE LEARNING WEEK''
Mr. CORNYN (for himself, Mr. Booker, Mr. Portman, Mr. Reed, Mr.
Rubio, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Braun, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Wicker, and Ms.
Warren)
[[Page S6481]]
submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
S. Res. 412
Whereas family service learning is a method under which
children and families learn and solve problems together in a
multi-generational approach with active participation in
thoughtfully organized service that--
(1) is conducted in, and meets the needs of, their
communities;
(2) is focused on children and families solving community
issues together;
(3) requires the application of college and career
readiness skills by children and relevant workforce training
skills by adults; and
(4) is coordinated between the community and an elementary
school, a secondary school, an institution of higher
education, or a family community service program;
Whereas family service learning--
(1) is multi-generational learning that involves parents,
children, caregivers, and extended family members in shared
learning experiences in physical and digital environments;
(2) is integrated into and enhances the academic
achievement of children or the educational components of a
family service program in which families may be enrolled; and
(3) promotes skills (such as investigation, planning, and
preparation), action, reflection, the demonstration of
results, and sustainability;
Whereas family service learning has been shown to have
positive 2-generational effects and encourages families to
invest in their communities to improve economic and societal
well-being;
Whereas, through family service learning, children and
families have the opportunity to solve community issues and
learn together, thereby enabling the development of life and
career skills, such as flexibility and adaptability,
initiative and self-direction, social and cross-cultural
skills, productivity and accountability, and leadership and
responsibility;
Whereas family service learning activities provide
opportunities for families to improve essential skills, such
as organization, research, planning, reading and writing,
technological literacy, teamwork, and sharing;
Whereas families participating together in service are
afforded quality time learning about their communities;
Whereas adults engaged in family service learning serve as
positive role models for their children;
Whereas family service learning projects enable families to
build substantive connections with their communities, develop
a stronger sense of self-worth, experience a reduction in
social isolation, and improve parenting skills;
Whereas family service learning has added benefits for
English language learners by helping individuals and families
to--
(1) feel more connected with their communities; and
(2) practice language skills;
Whereas family service learning is particularly important
for at-risk families because family service learning--
(1) provides opportunities for leadership and civic
engagement; and
(2) helps build the capacity to advocate for the needs of
children and families; and
Whereas the value that parents place on civic engagement
and relationships within the community has been shown to
transfer to children who, in turn, replicate important
values, such as responsibility, empathy, and caring for
others: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) supports the designation of the week of November 4
through November 8, 2019, as ``National Family Service
Learning Week'' to raise public awareness about the
importance of family service learning, family literacy,
community service, and 2-generational learning experiences;
(2) encourages people across the United States to support
family service learning and community development programs;
(3) recognizes the importance that family service learning
plays in cultivating family literacy, civic engagement, and
community investment; and
(4) calls upon public, private, and nonprofit entities to
support family service learning opportunities to aid in the
advancement of families.
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