October is Family History Month

Thanks to the efforts of Senator Orrin G. Hatch, each October is Family History Month in the United States. Here is the text of the bill passed last year:

Designating the month of October 2003, as 'Family History Month'

Whereas it is the family, striving for a future of opportunity and hope, that reflects our Nation's belief in community, stability, and love;

Whereas the family remains an institution of promise, reliance, and encouragement;

Whereas we look to the family as an unwavering symbol of constancy that will help us discover a future of prosperity, promise, and potential;

Whereas within our Nation's libraries and archives lie the treasured records that detail the history of our Nation, our States, our communities, and our citizens;

Whereas individuals from across our Nation and across the world have embarked on a genealogical journey by discovering who their ancestors were and how various forces shaped their past;

Whereas an ever-growing number in our Nation and in other nations are collecting, preserving, and sharing genealogies, personal documents, and memorabilia that detail the life and times of families around the world;

Whereas 54,000,000 individuals belong to a family where someone in the family has used the Internet to research their family history ;

Whereas individuals from across our Nation and across the world continue to research their family heritage and its impact upon the history of our Nation and the world;

Whereas approximately 60 percent of Americans have expressed an interest in tracing their family history ;

Whereas the study of family history gives individuals a sense of their heritage and a sense of responsibility in carrying out a legacy that their ancestors began;

Whereas as individuals learn about their ancestors who worked so hard and sacrificed so much, their commitment to honor their ancestors' memory by doing good is increased;

Whereas interest in our personal family history transcends all cultural and religious affiliations;

Whereas to encourage family history research, education, and the sharing of knowledge is to renew the commitment to the concept of home and family ; and

Whereas the involvement of National, State, and local officials in promoting genealogy and in facilitating access to family history records in archives and libraries are important factors in the successful perception of nationwide camaraderie, support, and participation: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate--

(1) designates the month of October 2003, as 'Family History Month' ; and

(2) requests that the President issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe the month with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

Comments

[Paul Ramshaw]

The bill you quoted is S. Res. 175 (introduced and passed in June 2003), which named October 2003 as Family History Month. I just called Sen. Hatch's office, and they say he plans to intoduce such a bill again this year (for October 2004), but has not yet done so (as of 6 Oct.). He has perhaps been too busy criticizing Democrats for raising questions about some of Bush's judicial appointees.

[Cecelia Brown]

I would like to hear more updated information about Family History Month. Was the Bill passed for 2009? If so where do I find information about it.