October is Family History Month

Did you know that in 2001, 2003, and 2005 Congress passed resolutions under the leadership of Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah to designate the month of October as Family History Month.

Here is the text of the October 2005 Resolution from the 109th Congress.

Designating the month of October 2005 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 of people 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 the memory of their ancestors 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 2005 as `Family History Month'; and
(2) calls upon the people of the United States to observe the month with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

The texts of the other resolutions are identical.
October 2001 Resolution from the 107th Congress
October 2003 Resolution from the 108th Congress

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What are you doing to celebrate Family History Month?

I knew that October was Family History Month, but I had never read the resolutions until today.

I love this particular section of the resolution:

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

That is what I try to do. I strive to honor my ancestors by doing good to others and by respecting my ancestors' sacrifices for my freedom.

How do you honor your ancestors?