BILL NUMBER: SCR 112INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Senator Runner (Coauthors: Senators Aanestad, Correa, Cox, Emmerson, Harman, and Strickland) (Coauthor: Assembly Member Knight) JUNE 15, 2010 Relative to Father's Day. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SCR 112, as introduced, Runner. Father's Day. This measure would observe June 20, 2010, as Father's Day and recognize the contribution of fathers. This measure would also urge men to embrace the responsibilities of fathering a child and encourage parents to strengthen their relationship by attending and participating in marriage and relationship education classes. The measure would state the intent of the Legislature to explore ways to increase access to and participation in marriage and relationship education programs. Fiscal committee: no. WHEREAS, Fatherhood provides unique and lasting joys. Cradling a baby in his arms, a father experiences the miracle of life and an unbreakable bond. Fathers imagine a world of possibilities awaiting their children and contemplate the privilege of helping them reach their goals. As kids grow and mature, they look to their father for a special kind of love and support; and WHEREAS, In a large survey conducted in 2008, 95 percent of Californians agreed that fathers and mothers were equally important in influencing the healthy development of children, that more than five times as many of those whose parents were not married viewed their fathers as uninvolved in their upbringing, and 84 percent of Californians polled agreed that, all things being equal, it is better for a child to be raised in a household with a father; and WHEREAS, There is a positive correlation between marital quality and the quality of the father-child relationship; and WHEREAS, Marriage and relationship education classes have been found in hundreds of research studies to help couples learn skills that reduce strife, improve communication, increase parenting skills, and increase marital and family stability; and WHEREAS, An analysis of more than 100 research studies concluded that a nurturing father's love is profoundly important in a child's psychological adjustment, conduct, cognitive and academic performance, mental health, and resistance to substance abuse; and WHEREAS, As children encounter new and challenging experiences, they need guidance and counsel. Fathers help their children make the right choices by serving as strong role models. Honest and hard-working fathers are an irreplaceable influence upon their children; and WHEREAS, Children with involved, loving fathers are significantly more likely to do well in school, have healthy self-esteem, and exhibit empathy and positive social behaviors as compared to children who have uninvolved fathers. Committed and responsible fathering during infancy and early childhood contributes to emotional security, intellectual curiosity, and strong academic skills; and WHEREAS, Fathers have an obligation to help rear the children they bring into the world. Fathers must help instill in their kids the values that will sustain them for a lifetime. Unfortunately, the absence of the father from the family has risen greatly in the last four decades, with 34 percent of American children currently living without their biological fathers, substantially burdening both the federal and state budgets, thereby costing California taxpayers approximately $12,000,000,000 annually for social services associated with family breakdowns; and WHEREAS, On Father's Day, we pay tribute to the loving and caring fathers who are strengthening their families and our country. We also honor those surrogate fathers who raise, mentor, or care for someone else's child. Thousands of young children benefit from the influence of great men, and we acknowledge their willingness to give and continue giving. We also express special gratitude to fathers who serve in the United States Armed Forces for the sacrifices they and their families make every day; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the California Legislature hereby observes Father's Day this June 20, 2010, and calls upon Californians to recognize the contributions of millions of fathers who are serving as admirable role models and caring parents of their children; and be it further Resolved, That the California Legislature urges men to embrace the responsibilities that fathering a child requires, especially in the encouragement of moral and academic development through active involvement in the rearing and development of their children, including the devotion of time, energy, and resources; and be it further Resolved, That the California Legislature encourages parents to strengthen their relationship with each other by attending and participating in marriage and relationship education classes; and be it further Resolved, That the California Legislature intends to explore ways to increase access to and participation in marriage and relationship education programs; and be it further Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.