State of Alaska > Governor > Proclamations  > Full Proclamation

Family Day - A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children   Printer Friendly

WHEREAS, strong families provide children the encouragement, support, and love they need to become confident, compassionate, and successful members of society; and

WHEREAS, the nurturing and development of our families require investment, focus, and commitment; and

WHEREAS, we must work together to promote and preserve the health and security of Alaska’s families; and

WHEREAS, the abuse of illegal and prescription drugs, alcohol, and nicotine constitute great threats to the well-being of Alaska’s children; and

WHEREAS, research conducted by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University has consistently shown that the more often children eat dinner with their families, the less likely children are to smoke, drink, or use drugs; and

WHEREAS, parents or guardians should be the most prominent and active figures in their children’s lives. By spending more family time together, they can better engage their children and encourage them to make the right choices; and

WHEREAS, strong families create healthy and drug-free communities by helping their children make wise choices and decisions; and

WHEREAS, across Alaska, citizens, schools, and civic institutions can assist families by helping to meet the needs of all those who live in our communities. As we work together to strengthen our families, we will build hope and opportunity for all in Alaska; and

WHEREAS, family dinners have long constituted a stable pillar of family life in Alaska and in the United States of America;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Sean Parnell, Governor of the State of Alaska, do hereby proclaim September 28, 2009 as:

Family Day

A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children

in Alaska, and encourage all families to sit down to dinner together today and every day throughout the year.

Dated: September 28, 2009