DESIGNATING MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2001, AS NATIONAL EAT-DINNER-WITH-YOUR CHILDREN DAY

WHEREAS, the use of illegal drugs and the abuse of substances such as alcohol and nicotine constitute the single greatest threat to the health and well-being of American children; and

WHEREAS, surveys conducted by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University have found for each of the past four years that children and teenagers who routinely eat dinner with their families are far less likely to use illegal drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol; and

WHEREAS, teens from families that almost always eat dinner together were 31 percent less likely than the average teen to smoke, drink or use illegal drugs, while those from families that almost never eat dinner together were 72 percent likelier than the average teen to engage in these activities; and

WHEREAS, the correlation between the frequency of family dinners and the decrease in substance abuse risk is well documented; and

WHEREAS, parental influence is known to be one of the most crucial factors in determining the likelihood of teenage substance abuse; and

WHEREAS, family dinners have long constituted a substantial pillar of American family life,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The U.S. Conference of Mayors recognizes that eating dinner as a family is a critical step toward raising healthy, drug-free children; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that The U.S. Conference of Mayors designates Monday, September 24, 2001, as National Eat-Dinner-With-Your-Children Day.