[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 599 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

113th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 599

   Recognizing the 100-year anniversary of Big Brothers Big Sisters 
                       Southeastern Pennsylvania.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           December 11, 2014

    Mr. Toomey (for himself and Mr. Casey) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Recognizing the 100-year anniversary of Big Brothers Big Sisters 
                       Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Whereas Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania is a nonprofit 
        organization that provides children facing adversity with strong, 
        enduring, and professionally supported one-to-one mentor relationships;
Whereas Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania serves children who 
        are--

    (1) living in areas with a high poverty rate, areas with a high 
incidence of juvenile arrests, or single-parent households;

    (2) impacted by homelessness or familial incarceration; or

    (3) attending a struggling school;

Whereas mentors serving as advisors, role models, or friends can diminish risk 
        factors, enhance protective factors, and make a lasting impact on the 
        lives of children;
Whereas Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania supports and enriches 
        the lives of children and promotes and reinforces positive activities, 
        behaviors, and attitudes by working with donors, partners, family 
        members, volunteers, and advocates;
Whereas the Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania mentor program is 
        proven to help at-risk children reach their potential;
Whereas the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence at the University of 
        Colorado classifies the Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern 
        Pennsylvania mentor program as a ``blueprint'' model intervention 
        program for effectively reducing adolescent violent crime, aggression, 
        delinquency, and substance abuse;
Whereas ``blueprint'' programs have the highest standards and meet the most 
        rigorous tests of effectiveness and replicability in the field of 
        helping at-risk children;
Whereas children who participate in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern 
        Pennsylvania mentor program perform better in school and develop better 
        relationships with their families and peers;
Whereas Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania makes meaningful, 
        monitored matches between adult volunteers, known as ``Bigs'', and at-
        risk children, known as ``Littles'', throughout Chester County, Delaware 
        County, Montgomery County, and Philadelphia County;
Whereas Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania supports nearly 3,000 
        mentor matches each year;
Whereas an estimated 250,000 underserved children in southeastern Pennsylvania 
        remain at risk for academic failure; and
Whereas Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania is committed to 
        bringing life-changing work to the children in the region who need it 
        the most: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate recognizes the 100-year anniversary of 
Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania.
                                 <all>