Harrisburg, PA - Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell joined with leaders from around the state on Thursday, July 24th to honor outstanding parents as part of the 2003 Parents' Day Celebration. James Robert and Angela Vaughn of Allentown were named Pennsylvania Parents' of the Year by the Pennsylvania Parents' Day Council. Governor Rendell presented the award at the Parents of the Year Awards ceremony and reception, held in the Rotunda of the State Capitol. In addition to the Vaughns, parents from 12 Pennsylvania cities were also recognized for their exemplary commitment to and investment of love in the rearing of their children and their contributions to the community at large.

The event at the State Capitol took place in conjunction with observances nationwide for Parents' Day. Created by an act of Congress in 1994, Parents' Day is a national day of commemoration, established for "recognizing, uplifting, and supporting the role of parents in the rearing of children." Parents' Day is celebrated on the 4th Sunday of each July; Parents' Day 2003 is Sunday, July 27th. Parents' Day festivities are planned for this Sunday at churches in communities around the state.

In his official proclamation designating Sunday, July 27th as "Parents' Day" in Pennsylvania, Governor Rendell said, "Parenting is undoubtedly life's most important, challenging, and rewarding job. A parent fulfills many roles in their work, including provider, nurturer, doctor, teacher, role model, cheerleader, and unconditional caregiver."

President George W. Bush, in his 2003 Parents' Day proclamation, said "On Parents' Day, we honor America's mothers and fathers and celebrate the values that bind families from one generation to the next and help define us as a Nation�.As a child's first teachers, parents are the most influential and effective instructors in a child's life. Through their words, actions, and sacrifices, parents are living examples for children."

The Pennsylvania Parents' Day Council is part of a nationwide network promoting strong families and effective parenting through Parents' Day activities. It is a project of the American Family Coalition (AFC) of Pennsylvania. Information about the National Parents' Day Council can be found at www.parentsday.com.

Photo: Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell with Pennsylvania Parents of the Year James Robert and Angela Vaughn (right); and their daughter Stephanie (left). Originally published at www.parentsday.com/pa.