[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 78 (Thursday, June 13, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1034]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         FATHERS ARE IMPORTANT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH R. PITTS

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 12, 2002

  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of America's fathers.
  Mr. Speaker, fathers are important. They're important to our 
communities, our civic institutions and most of all they are important 
to their families, especially their children. Tonight, 40 percent of 
American children will go to sleep in a home without their father. 
Forty million children will see another day come and go without hearing 
the sound of their father's voice or playing catch with their Dad in 
the backyard or having their father tuck them into bed. And what's even 
more sad is that it's not because their fathers went on a business trip 
or had to work the late shift. It's because their fathers are gone. And 
for these children tonight is going to be a lot like last night and may 
be a lot like tomorrow night. Forty million American children have not 
seen their fathers in over a year.
  Mr. Speaker, being a father has been one of the greatest privileges 
of my life. Watching my children grow and teaching them right from 
wrong has given me more joy than I ever thought possible. Just this 
last year, I became a grandfather for the first time. Watching my son 
be a father to his son has reconfirmed for me the importance and joys 
of fatherhood. I salute the many single mothers who work hard to 
support and care for their children. But, fathers are important. They 
can't be replaced.

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