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Father's Day, 2000
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

Each year, Americans set aside the third Sunday in June to pay special tribute to our fathers, who for many of us are the first and most important men in our lives. The role of father is a unique blessing and a profound responsibility, one at the very heart of our Nation’s families and communities. When we are young, our father's nurturing brings us comfort and security. As we grow, our dads are our teachers and coaches -- whether we are learning to read or to play a sport -- and they instill in us cherished values of honor, courage, hard work, and respect for others. Later, as adults, we look to our fathers for advice and friendship. On all the paths of life, our fathers encourage us when we hesitate, support us when we falter, and cheer us when we succeed.

American fathers today must balance the demands of work and family. As our growing economy has helped America’s families meet their financial needs, the pressure to maintain that balance has increased. For the health of our families, it is important that fathers have the time, the support, and the parenting skills necessary to fulfill their children’s moral and emotional needs as well as provide for their physical well-being. Throughout our Administration, Vice President Gore and I have encouraged fathers to take an active and responsible role in their children's lives. This year, in recognition of Father's Day, I am directing the Department of Health and Human Services, along with certain other Federal agencies, to develop guidance for State and local governments, community providers, and families on Federal resources that are available to promote responsible fatherhood.

On this first Father’s Day of the 21st century, let us honor our fathers, both living and deceased, for believing in our dreams and helping us to achieve them. Throughout the year, let us continue to reflect on the importance of fathers -- whether biological, foster, adoptive, or stepfathers -- as role models in our lives. And let us express our gratitude for the many gifts they bring to our lives by passing on their legacy of love and caring to our own children.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States of America, in accordance with a joint resolution of the Congress approved April 24, 1972 (36 U.S.C. 142a), do hereby proclaim Sunday, June 18, 2000, as Father’s Day. I invite the States, communities across our country, and all the citizens of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities that demonstrate our deep appreciation and abiding love for our fathers.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-fourth.

WILLIAM J. CLINTON


That was the best speech on Father's Day in my opinion

another bump for Father's Day..........

Any thoughts, poems, memories anyone wants to share??

"Daddy What If"




(Daddy what if the sun stop shinin' what would happen then)
If the sun stopped shinin' you'd be so surprised
You'd stare at the heavens with wide open eyes
And the wind would carry your light to the skies
And the sun would start shinin' again

(Daddy what if the wind stopped blowin' what would happen then)
If the wind stopped blowin' then the land would be dry
And your boat wouldn't sail son and your kite wouldn't fly
And the grass would see your troubles and she'd tell the wind
And the wind would start blowin' again

(But daddy what if the grass stopped growin' what would happen then)
If the grass stopped growin' why you'd probably cry
And the ground would be watered by the tears from your eyes
And like your love for me the grass would grow so high
Yes the grass would start growin' again

(But daddy what if I stopped lovin' you what would happen then)
If you stopped lovin' me then the grass would stop growin'
The sun would stop shinin' and the wind would stop blowin'
So you see if you wanna keep this old world a goin'
You better start lovin' me again again you better start lovin' me again
You hear me Bobby you better start lovin' me again
You love me Bobby you better start lovin' me again


A great song by Bobby Bare!!

can't believe there aren't more affirming stories about fathers!!

Daddy's Day


Her hair up in a pony tail, her favorite dress tied with a bow. Today was Daddy's Day at school, and she couldn't wait to go.

But her mommy tried to tell her, that she probably should stay home, why, the kids might not understand, if she went to school alone.

But, she was not afraid; she knew just what to say. What to tell her classmates, on this Daddy's Day. But still her mother worried, for her to face this day alone. And, that was why once again, she tried to keep her daughter home.

But, the little girl went to school, eager to tell them all about a dad she never sees, a dad who never calls.

There were daddies along the wall in back, for everyone to meet, children squirming impatiently, anxious in their seats. One by one the teacher called a student from the class to introduce their daddy as seconds slowly passed. At last the teacher called her name, every child turned to stare.

Each of them was searching for a man who wasn't there. "Where's her daddy?" she heard a boy call out "She probably doesn't have one," another student dared to shout. And, from somewhere near the back, she heard a daddy say "Looks like another deadbeat dad, too busy to waste his day."

The words did not offend her, as she smiled at her friends, and looked back at her teacher, who told her to begin. And with hands behind her back, slowly she began to speak, and out from the mouth of a child, came words incredibly unique.

"My Daddy couldn't be here, because he lives so far away, but I know he wishes he could be with me on this day. And though you cannot meet him, I wanted you to know, all about my daddy, and how much he loves me so.

He loved to tell me stories, he taught me to ride my bike, he surprised me with pink roses, and taught me to fly a kite. We used to share fudge sundaes and ice cream in a cone, and though you cannot see him, I'm not standing all alone. 'Cause my daddy's always with me, even though we are apart, I know because he told me, he'll forever be here in my heart".

With that her little hand reached up, and lay across her chest, feeling her own heartbeat, beneath her favorite dress. From somewhere in the crowd of dads, her mother stood in tears, proudly watching her daughter, who was wise beyond her years. She stood up for the love of a man not in her life, doing what was best for her, doing what was right.

When she dropped her hand back down, staring straight into the crowd, she finished with a voice so soft, but its message clear and loud, "I love my daddy very much, he's my shining star, if he could he'd be here, but heaven's just too far. Sometimes when I close my eyes, it's like he never went away."

Then she closed her eyes, and saw him there that day. To her mother's amazement, she witnessed with surprise, a room full of daddies and children, all starting to close their eyes.

Who knows what they saw before them, who knows what they felt inside? Perhaps for a second, they saw him at her side.

"I know you're with me Daddy," to the silence she called out.

What happened next made believers, of those once filled with doubt. No one in that room could explain it, for each of their eyes had been closed. But there placed on her desktop, was a beautiful fragrant pink rose, a child was blessed, if only a moment, by the love of her shining bright star. And, given the gift of believing that heaven is never too FAR.

By Cheryl Costello-Forshey ©2000

I want to wish my father a Happy Father's Day. I would also like to wish other family and friends who are fathers a Happy Father's Day.

And to all the dads on CS, have a wonderful Father's Day!!!

Yes... Happy Father's Day to all of the good & stand up father's, who take and have taken an active role in their children's lives.

Yes, indeed........ I think they are short-changed a lot of the time!!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL THE MEN HERE WHO TAKE THE TIME AND EMBRACE THEIR CHILDREN, OR WHO MENTOR A CHILD, WHETHER YOU ARE A FATHER, UNCLE, BROTHER, GRANDFATHER, OR FRIEND...............I CANNOT SAY THIS ENOUGH, MEN DO MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN A CHILD'S LIFE.............YOU ARE ALL WONDERFUL

That was sweet


My son called to wish me a Happy Father's Day....as I did him. It seems odd to wish your son a happy father's day, though.... : )

Thank-you!!
I just received a call from my son, I was really surprised. I thought he would forget or choose not to call. It really touched my heart that he called, and it was the first thing he did on Father's Day

Hats off to the lovely ladies of CS sxc666, hugz n kissez, horselady5, for all the kind words and poems to all the caring fathers especaily prncss 4 someon for starting the thread.