Caleb unwrapped the bright red package and held up a teddy bear, his 6-year-old face wreathed in smiles. Caitlin didn't fare as well. She opened a shiny blue box - only to find it contained a smaller box, and that one a smaller box. Finally, she opened a tiny box, which was empty.That, according to members of Utah's Kids Coalition, is a representation of what should not happen to children in Utah: lots of talk and promises (pretty wrappings), but no action.
During a press conference Monday, representatives from the 18-organization coalition announced plans to monitor all bills that affect children during the 1993 Legislature. When the session ends, they will make public the results, including the impact of legislation on children and how each senator and representative voted.
The coalition will not take a formal position on bills but will identify those it believes are important to children's well-being.
According to pediatrician Dr. George Durham, 37 percent of Utah's residents are under 18. But they don't get to vote and they don't lobby lawmakers. So adults have to make sure their concerns are given priority.
In 1992, the Legislature adopted a "Pledge to Children Resolution" that promises, among other things, that the Utah Legislature will "provide the children of Utah with an environment which furnishes security, fosters opportunity and engenders responsibility."
Bills they will follow range from firearm-safety education to child abuse reporting, gang violence and drug prevention program materials, a school fees task force, sanctions for denial of child visitation, family income tax credit, uniform visitation guidelines and others.