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