110 HRES 908 EH: Supporting the goals and ideals of National U.S. House of Representatives 2008-01-23 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV 110th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 908 In the House of Representatives, U. S., January 23, 2008 RESOLUTION Supporting the goals and ideals of National Mentoring Month.

Whereas youth mentoring establishes a structured and trusting relationship between young people and caring individuals who offer guidance, support, and encouragement; Whereas a growing body of mentoring research provides strong evidence that mentoring programs are successful in reducing delinquency, substance use and abuse, and academic failure; Whereas research also shows that formal mentoring that is focused on developing the competence and character of the young person promotes positive outcomes such as improved academic achievement, self-esteem, social skills, and career development; Whereas mentoring provides a supportive environment in which young people can grow, expand their vision of the future, and achieve goals that they never thought possible; Whereas more than 4,000 mentoring programs in communities of all sizes across the United States focus on building strong, effective relationships between mentors and mentees; Whereas public-private mentoring partnerships bring State and local leaders together to support mentoring programs by preventing duplication of efforts, offering training in best practices, and helping mentoring programs make the most of the limited resources available to benefit the Nation’s youth; Whereas the Corporation for National and Community Service has convened— (1)the Federal Mentoring Council, which brings together several Federal agencies to coordinate approaches to mentoring within the Federal Government; and (2)the National Mentoring Working Group, consisting of experts in mentoring from non-profit organizations and foundations, to share information and ideas about mentoring programs; Whereas more than 15,000,000 young people in the United States fall into a mentoring gap and still need mentors; Whereas coordinated national, State, regional, and local efforts need Federal support to connect more youth with the powerful benefits that result from mentoring; Whereas designation of January 2008 as National Mentoring Month will help call attention to the critical role mentors play in helping young people realize their potential; Whereas the month-long celebration of mentoring will encourage more organizations across the United States, including schools, businesses, nonprofit organizations, faith institutions, foundations, and individuals to become engaged in mentoring; Whereas National Mentoring Month will— (1)build awareness of mentoring; (2)encourage more people to become mentors; and (3)help close the Nation’s mentoring gap; and Whereas the President issued a proclamation declaring January 2008 to be National Mentoring Month and calling on the people of the United States to— (1)recognize the importance of mentoring; (2)look for opportunities to serve as mentors in their communities; and (3)observe the month with appropriate activities and programs: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1)supports the goals and ideals of National Mentoring Month; (2)acknowledges the diligent efforts of individuals and groups who promote mentoring and who are observing the month with appropriate ceremonies and activities that promote awareness of and volunteer involvement with youth mentoring; (3)recognizes with gratitude the contributions of the millions of caring adults and students who are already volunteering as mentors; and (4)encourages more adults and students to volunteer as mentors.

Lorraine C. Miller, Clerk.