02-12 12:34 H.J.R. 11
1
Joint Resolution on the Foundation for a Strong Utah Future
2025 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Nicholeen P. Peck
Senate Sponsor:
2
3
LONG TITLE
4
General Description:
5
This resolution promotes strengthening households of married parents with children.
6
Highlighted Provisions:
7
This resolution:
8
▸ highlights the correlation between percentage of households of married parents with
9
children and child poverty;
10
▸ promotes career and technical programs to increase upward social mobility and financial
11
stability;
12
▸ promotes the Success Sequence to teach students how to create strong family units; and
13
▸ encourages policies creating family stability and a strong foundation for Utah children.
14
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
15
None
16
Other Special Clauses:
17
None
18
19
Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
20
WHEREAS, the bonds between parents and children are fundamental to human
21
development;
22
WHEREAS, humans have a psychological and social need for feelings of belonging, love,
23
and strong familial relationships;
24
WHEREAS, for most individuals, family provides essential support during challenging
25
times;
26
WHEREAS, the United Nations determined that "family is the basic group unit of society,"
27
underscoring the family's pivotal role in societal well-being;
28
WHEREAS, according to the National Census, in 1980, 77% of children lived with married
29
parents;
30
WHEREAS, in 2020, nationally, 63% of children lived with married parents;
H.J.R. 11 H.J.R. 11 02-12 12:34
31
WHEREAS, there is a correlation between the decline in percentage of children living with
32
married parents and the increase in income inequality, the increase in poverty rates, and the
33
decrease in economic mobility;
34
WHEREAS, Archbridge Institute ranks Utah as the best in the nation for social mobility;
35
WHEREAS, investing in career and technical programs provide Utahns greater access to
36
higher-paying jobs, leading to upward mobility and increased family stability;
37
WHEREAS, according to a 2024 United States Department of Health and Human Services
38
report, 80% of Utah households are headed by two parents, compared to 63% nationally;
39
WHEREAS, according to economist Melissa Kearny, the higher percentage of two-parent
40
households is correlated with low poverty rates, high social mobility, and lower income
41
inequality;
42
WHEREAS, findings from the Marriage and Religion Research Institute indicate that
43
children raised by married parents experience better long-term outcomes, such as higher
44
educational attainment, improved emotional well-being, and greater economic stability
45
compared to those raised in single-parent households;
46
WHEREAS, Utah is committed to creating strong families with children raised by married
47
parents;
48
WHEREAS, Utah promotes the Success Sequence where children are encouraged to
49
complete at least a high school education, obtain full-time work, and marry before having
50
children;
51
WHEREAS, the Success Sequence teaches students the importance of education, financial
52
responsibility, and intact, healthy marriages;
53
WHEREAS, Utah's early-childhood tax credit provides financial relief to families during
54
the early, formative years of a child's life;
55
WHEREAS, Utah is not immune to the national trend of decreasing birthrates and decline
56
of households of married parents with children;
57
WHEREAS, these trends are a cause for concern for the future of Utah children;
58
WHEREAS, many single-parent families find themselves in a less-than-ideal situation
59
when raising children;
60
WHEREAS, single-parent families work diligently and often raise remarkable children
61
despite the hardships they face; and
62
WHEREAS, single-parent families should never be stigmatized:
63
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
64
promotes the adoption of policies that promote and strengthen married, two-parent families.
- 2 - 02-12 12:34 H.J.R. 11
65
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah commits to provide
66
children with the greatest opportunities for success in life.
67
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah encourages and
68
promotes two-parent families, strong marriages, and healthy communication.
69
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah promotes career
70
and technical programs, the Success Sequence, and continuing and expanding the
71
early-childhood tax credits to create financial security, upward mobility, and family stability
72
that creates a strong foundation for Utah children.
- 3 -