75th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2009 Regular Session
 
NOTE:  Matter within  { +  braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within  { -  braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
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 LC 3835
 
                     House Joint Memorial 23
 
Sponsored by Representative RILEY (at the request of Jessica
  Ritter)
 
 
                             SUMMARY
 
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure as
introduced.
 
  Urges United States Senate to pass binding legislation
ratifying United Nations Convention on Rights of Child.
 
                         JOINT MEMORIAL
To the President of the United States and the Senate of the
  United States of America, in executive session assembled:
  We, your memorialists, the Seventy-fifth Legislative Assembly
of the State of Oregon, in legislative session assembled,
respectfully represent as follows:
  Whereas the State of Oregon 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 Oregon and 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, suicide and firearm-related deaths; and
  Whereas, according to a recent UNICEF report, the United States
has the highest child poverty rate and the highest child abuse
death rate among the world's 24 wealthiest countries; 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 due to the vulnerable status of children, it is the
responsibility of governments to ensure that children receive the
level of support necessary for the realization of these rights
and protections; and
  Whereas each child, for the full and harmonious development of
the child's personality, should grow up in a family environment
in which an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding
exists; 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 protecting 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 that 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
that are members of the United Nations and that have not also
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; and
  Whereas the United States should be more cooperative in working
with the international community to address the global needs of
children; and
  Whereas in May 2008, the Portland City Council joined a growing
list of cities and states across the country that have passed
resolutions urging the United States to ratify the Convention on
the Rights of the Child; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Legislative Assembly of the State of
  Oregon:
  (1) That the Seventy-fifth Legislative Assembly urges the
President of the United States to submit the United Nations
Convention on the Rights of the Child to the United States Senate
for ratification and urges the Senate to ratify the Convention on
the Rights of the Child; and
  (2) That a copy of this memorial shall be sent to the President
of the United States, to the Senate Majority and Minority Leaders
and to both Oregon Senators.
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