[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 160 (Tuesday, October 17, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1950-E1951]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        OCTOBER IS MENTOR MONTH

                                 ______


                       HON. CONSTANCE A. MORELLA

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 17, 1995

  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the Montgomery 
County (Maryland) Task Force on Mentoring. The task force will be 
sponsoring a mentor training workshop on Saturday, October 21, 1995 in 
celebration of their theme, ``October is Mentor Month.''
  The Montgomery County Task Force on Mentoring was established by the 
Montgomery County Human Relations Commission in response to a study of 
the plight of young black males in the county. In 1991, the commission 
hosted a conference on ``Young Black Males: Is Mentoring a Solution?'' 
At that conference, it became apparent that several mentor programs 
were in operation in the county unaware of each other's existence. It 
was obvious at that conference that an umbrella organization was needed 
to provide support for mentor activities in Montgomery County.
  In Homer's ``Odyssey,'' Mentor was the man to whom Odysseus entrusted 
the care and education of his son, Telemachus, when Odysseus embarked 
on his travels and adventures. The word ``mentor'' has come to mean ``a 
trusted friend or teacher.''
  Mentoring has evolved into a time-honored tradition that smooths the 
path for newcomers to get ahead and allows seasoned-professionals to 
leave a legacy for the future. A mentor is someone who consciously 
serves as a career role model for students. A mentor can increase the 
confidence and self-esteem of students and provide the inspiration 
needed to persevere during the early stages of career development. 
Studies show that people who have been nurtured in their careers by 
mentors achieve more than individuals with equal talent who have not 
had an advocate encouraging their success.
  Mentors often combat the isolation and fragmentation experienced by 
teenagers who lack guidance from adult role-models. Mentors have been 
especially important for single mothers who need encouragement to 
aspire to professional growth and higher-paying jobs. In many 
instances, mentors help their proteges overcome persistent barriers in 
the workplace.
  Through their workshop on October 21, the Montgomery County Task 
Force on Mentoring hopes to assist young people who need adult guidance 
in their lives. Information and materials will be available to 
organizations interested in developing mentor programs.
  Mr. Speaker, it is a proud moment for me to applaud the task force 
for providing organizations in the Montgomery County community with the 
technical assistance and support services they need to promote 
mentoring. I 

[[Page E 1951]]
wish the winning combination of task force members, interested 
citizens, county agencies, community organizations, and students 
continued success as they embark on future odysseys in mentoring.

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