WHEREAS, The world's children are its most precious resource and international law, and the law of the United States of America recognize the special needs and vulnerability of children; and

WHEREAS, Each day, throughout the world, 38,000 children die from hunger, exposure, or lack of health care; more than 100 million children work under hazardous and life-threatening conditions; more than 80 million homeless children must live in the world's streets; war has made more than 10 million children refugees; and, in many countries, children are subjected to torture; and

WHEREAS, The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child would recognize the fundamental rights of the world's children and raise them to the level of international law. The convention on the child guarantees children's right to survival through the provision of adequate food, shelter, clean water, and primary health care; children's right to protection from abuse, neglect, and exploitation in times of war and peace; children's right to healthy development through a safe environment and constructive play; and children's right to the opportunity to participate in the social, economic, civil, and religious life of their country, free from discrimination; and

WHEREAS, on November 20, 1989, the United States of America joined other members of the United Nations General Assembly in the unanimous adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child; now,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That the Executive Board of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees hereby urges the President of the United States to sign the Convention on the Rights of the Child and to transmit it to the United States Senate; and further urges the Senate to ratify the Convention at the earliest possible date.