Sponsor Statement for SSHCR 25

A Resolution relating to Step Families Day, September 16th

July 28 is National Parents Day and the structure of the American family is changing. Everyday in America, a new family is born through the marriage of couples who have children from another relationship.

According to The Stepfamily Foundation, Inc., of the 83.5 million households in America, close to 70% of them are stepfamilies. By the year 2000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than half of Americans will be living in step-families versus the nuclear family.

This day would be a monumental observation for all the couples and their children who believe in marriage; who are committed to the success of their family, even though the nuclear family may have been dissolved by death or divorce.

The purpose of this resolution is to support and recognize the step family. The ultimate goal is to set aside a national day to recognize the men, women and children who are blended together by marriage. To encourage this move, each state has been asked to offer its support by creating a Step Families Day. So far, nearly half of all 50 states have committed September 16th, many others are considering legislation.

The Sponsor Substitute reflects only a change to the address found on the last two lines of the resolution.