By:  Ellis                                            S.R. No. 1031
    1-1                           SENATE RESOLUTION
    1-2        WHEREAS, The Day of the African Child commemorates the
    1-3  June 16, 1976, massacre of schoolchildren in Soweto, South Africa;
    1-4  and
    1-5        WHEREAS, Since it was first observed in 1991, the Day of the
    1-6  African Child has mobilized communities around the world to look at
    1-7  the situation of all African children and to celebrate the diverse
    1-8  cultures and traditions of a vast continent; and
    1-9        WHEREAS, Events worldwide during last year's observance
   1-10  included festivals, education workshops on the rights of children,
   1-11  art exhibitions, and radio and television broadcasts of government
   1-12  statements in support of Africa's children; and
   1-13        WHEREAS, The Day of the African Child also serves as a
   1-14  forum where prevailing myths about Africa can be dispelled; the
   1-15  industrialized world's view of Africa often focuses on the hardships
   1-16  rather than the accomplishments of the continent; and
   1-17        WHEREAS, In the last three decades the death rate of children
   1-18  under five has been cut in half and the average life expectancy in
   1-19  Africa has risen to 54 years, an increase of 13 years; African
   1-20  governments provide safe water and adequate sanitation to an
   1-21  additional 120 million people and over 80 percent of children living
   1-22  in urban areas have access to safe water; approximately 69 percent
   1-23  of African girls are now enrolled in primary school, an increase of
    2-1  44 percent; and
    2-2        WHEREAS, Commitment to meeting the needs of Africa's children
    2-3  starts in Africa itself; over 35 African nations have ratified the
    2-4  Convention on the Rights of the Child, the international treaty that
    2-5  guarantees children the basic human rights of survival, protection,
    2-6  and development under all circumstances, including war; and
    2-7        WHEREAS, In response to the 1990 World Summit for Children,
    2-8  over 30 African nations have now finalized National Programs of
    2-9  Action to achieve specific goals for the well-being of their
   2-10  children by the year 2000; these goals include a one-third reduction
   2-11  in child deaths and a one-half reduction in child malnutrition, safe
   2-12  water and sanitation for all families, and basic education for all
   2-13  children and primary education for at least 80 percent of children;
   2-14  and
   2-15        WHEREAS, The Day of the African Child gives the world
   2-16  community the opportunity to see and better understand all of Africa
   2-17  and its achievements, its remaining challenges, and the children who
   2-18  are its future; now, therefore, be it
   2-19        RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
   2-20  74th Legislature, hereby recognize June 16, 1995, as the Day of the
   2-21  African Child and commend the governments of Africa for the notable
   2-22  progress they have in caring for their children.
   2-23                               ______________________________________
   2-24                                       President of the Senate
   2-25                                    I hereby certify that the above
    3-1                               Resolution was adopted by the Senate
    3-2                               on May 11, 1995.
    3-3                               ______________________________________
    3-4                                       Secretary of the Senate
    3-5                               ______________________________________
    3-6                                        Member, Texas Senate