[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 83 (Thursday, June 14, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H3156]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              FATHER'S DAY

  (Mr. McINTYRE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, what happens to the family matters. It 
matters to our children, it matters to our parents, it matters to our 
communities, it matters, yes, to our Nation.
  This Sunday, families all across America will come together and honor 
the role that fathers play in our families and in our society. I am 
grateful for the role that my father and his love for my family and me 
has played in my life. However, for many families, this will be just 
another Sunday, because there is no dad at home. In fact, an estimated 
24.7 million children in this country live absent their biological 
fathers for whatever reason.
  As Members of the people's House, each of us should do all we can to 
promote policies and support programs that are father-friendly and that 
help families that may not have a father.
  First, we should pass H.R. 1300, the Responsible Fatherhood Act, that 
would provide resources to encourage responsible fatherhood and fund 
programs for local government, nonprofits, and religious and charitable 
organizations to help children.
  Second, we should all take time to lend our hands and our hearts to 
those children that may not have a dad around. Read to them, take them 
to a ball game, take time to talk, or just take time to listen.
  May God bless our fathers, especially this Father's Day.

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