1. I. Governor's Commission on the International Year of the Child.

   The Governor's Commission on the International Year of the Child shall be composed of the commissioner or director, or his or her respective designee, of the following agencies: the Division for Youth, the Education Department, the Department of Social Services, the Office of Mental Health, the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, the Department of Health, the Office of Alcoholism, the Office of Substance Abuse, the Board of Social Welfare, the Advocate for the Disabled, the State Athletic Commission, and the Division of Probation, and at least 20 members of the public who have demonstrated a strong concern for children. Commission members shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor. A chairperson shall be appointed by the Governor from among the commission members. The Commission shall:

2. (a) promote the awareess throughout the State of the needs of children. Special attention shall be given to: health, education, social environment, physical and emotional development and legal rights. Consideration shall be given toward achieving long-term solutions to the problems of children in this State;
3. (b) encourage the establishment of advocacy systems to ensure public participation in the identification of the needs of children and in the delivery of services to children;
4. (c) review Federal, State and local programs for children to suggest where inadequacies exist, where modification of programs might be appropriate, where new initiatives are necessary, and how greater coordination between Federal, State and local programs might be achieved;
5. (d) stimulate discussion and action throughout the State by bringing together various groups and individuals concerned with the welfare of children;
6. (e) celebrate the joy and gifts of children through projects and events appropriate to the observance of the International Year of the Child.
7. II. Personnel and Operations.
8. (a) The commission shall meet at such times as designated by the chairperson.
9. (b) Commission members, except the commissioners and directors of State departments or agencies or their designees, shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses of their duties as members.
10. (c) The commission may employ such staff and assistants as shall be deemed necessary to support the work of the commission, at a compensation to be fixed by the commission within the amounts available therefor and subject to the approval of the Director of the Budget. Members of the commission shall be unsalaried.

11. III. Termination of Commission Activities.

    The commission will terminate its work with the submission of the final report to the Governor on or about March 31, 1980. The final report shall contain a summary of the commission's activities, its findings and its recommendations for future action.

    Signed: Hugh L. Carey Dated: January 2, 1979

WHEREAS, the United Nations has designated 1979, the 20th anniversary of its Declaration of Rights of the Child, as the International Year of the Child; and

WHEREAS, in response to the United Nations appeal, President Carter has created the National Commission on the International Year of the Child—1979, which is serving as the focal point for U.S. involvement; and

WHEREAS, the National Commission, realizing the success of the International Year of the Child greatly depends upon state and local participation, has requested states to participate in this effort; and

WHEREAS, the International Year of the Child can serve as a theme for uniting a broad range of efforts within New York State on behalf of children;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Hugh L. Carey, Governor of the State of New York, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Laws of the State of New York, do hereby proclaim 1979 The International Year of the Child in New York State and establish the Governor's Commission on the International Year of the Child.