2013-09

Convention on the Rights of the Child

REPRESENTATIVE MINNIE GONZALEZ (CT) LAW & CRIMINAL JUSTICE TASK FORCE

WHEREAS, the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators and the states, commonwealths and territories it represents 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 insufficient health care, inadequate educational opportunities, and high rates of poverty, abuse and neglect, hunger, infant mortality, incarceration, adolescent pregnancy, homicide, suicide, and firearm-related deaths, 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/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 a 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, now, therefore for

NOW THERFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators urges legislators to adopt the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators calls on all agencies in the States, Commonwealths and Territories of the United States, 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 ALSO RESOLVED THAT, a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States to submit the Convention on the Rights of the Child to Senate Foreign Relations Committee for review, and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVE THAT, the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators urges the Senate of the United States to ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

THIS RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED ON JULY 13, 2013, AT THE NHCSL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING HELD IN MASHANTUCKET, CONNECTICUT AND RATIFIED ON NOVEMBER 16, 2013 AT THE NHCSL ANNUAL MEETING HELD IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA.

SPONSORED BY: Representative Minnie Gonzalez (CT)