[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 130 (Monday, October 7, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H7033-H7034]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL COMMUNITY ROLE MODELS WEEK
Mr. DAN MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules
and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 409) supporting
the goals and ideals of National Community Role Models Week, and for
other purposes.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Con. Res. 409
Whereas individuals who are motivated every day by
traditional American values such as selflessness, compassion,
dedication, courage, and integrity have a positive effect on
society by encouraging others to act in a similar manner;
Whereas individuals in local communities located throughout
the United States embody these values in their daily work,
communities, and homes;
Whereas children and adults would benefit from learning
about individuals in their community who embody these values
and about what motivates them;
Whereas because children learn and act by examples they
experience on a daily basis, they need role models from their
local community with whom they can realistically relate;
Whereas inspiring stories about an individual that a child
knows or might meet in the community can make a difference in
that child's decisions and life;
Whereas the Recognizing Achievement--Rewarding Excellence
Foundation (R.A.R.E. Foundation) based in Troy, Michigan, has
established a program to recognize exceptional people who
work in the community and further educate children in the
community about such people;
Whereas the R.A.R.E. Foundation is willing to provide
guidance to any community interested in starting such a
program; and
Whereas National Community Role Models Week is a fitting
tribute to the many individuals who displayed motivation,
selflessness, compassion, dedication, courage, and integrity
during the aftermath of the terrorist attacks against the
United States which occurred on September 11, 2001: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That Congress--
(1) supports the goals and ideals of National Community
Role Models Week;
(2) commends the Recognizing Achievement--Rewarding
Excellence Foundation based in Troy, Michigan, for
establishing a program to recognize exceptional people who
work in the community and further educate children in the
community about such people; and
(3) encourages the establishment of similar programs in
communities throughout the United States.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Florida (Mr. Dan Miller) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Dan Miller).
General Leave
Mr. DAN MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and
extend their remarks on House Concurrent Resolution 409.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Florida?
There was no objection.
Mr. DAN MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker I am pleased to have the House consider House Concurrent
Resolution 409. I commend the distinguished gentleman from Michigan
(Mr. Knollenberg) for introducing this measure and working so hard to
bring it to the floor.
I am a co-sponsor of this important resolution that expresses the
support of the House of Representatives for the goals and ideals of the
National Community Role Models Week. This resolution encourages
communities to adopt programs that recognize local heroes and educate
children about them.
In addition, this resolution recognizes an organization of
southeastern Michigan that has established a program to recognize
outstanding community residents and teach children about work ethic
values and accomplishments. Since 1998 the Recognizing Achievement-
Rewarding Excellence, or RARE, Foundation of Troy, Michigan, has
identified hundreds of unsung heroes in the Detroit Metropolitan area.
Some award winners include an entrepreneur who built a successful
company that teaches moderately handicapped people to live on their
own, a receptionist who created a care program for the spouses of
terminally ill employees, and a principal of an elementary school
located in a poverty-stricken and drug-impacted neighborhood who led
the school to achieve the national Blue Ribbon award.
Children need role models today more than ever. A role model from a
child's family or community can make a great difference in a child's
life. Although we often hear inspiring stories about famous
individuals, we seldom publicly recognize exceptional people in our
communities who can better relate to kids. There are many working
individuals in our local communities who are motivated every day by
values such as selflessness, compassion, dedication, courage, and
integrity. Although these people could be a wonderful role model for
children in their communities, their efforts are seldom publicly
recognized; and as a result, people in the community cannot benefit
from not knowing about them. Since children learn by examples they
experience on a daily basis, they need role models from their local
community.
More than rock stars or sports figures, these individuals can better
inspire children to think about their personal heroes and reflect upon
their dreams and aspirations. It is essential that we validate and
promote at a local level the exceptional values possessed by many
individuals within our communities. Establishing an annual week for
identifying role models in our local communities would remind us how
each individual, no matter his or her profession, plays a vital role in
the greatness of this Nation. I commend the RARE Foundation for
establishing a program to recognize community role models, and I
encourage other communities to establish similar programs. I ask my
colleagues to support this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with the gentleman from Florida
(Mr. Dan Miller) in considering Con. Res. 409, supporting the goals and
ideals of National Community Role Models Week, and for other purposes.
Mr. Speaker, H. Con. Res. 409 supports the goals of National
Community Role Models Week and the Recognizing Achievement-Rewarding
Excellence Foundation, the RARE Foundation.
While today's athletes and entertainers have inspiring stories of
perseverance, endurance, and dedication and are indeed noteworthy
individuals, they are often far removed from the lives that young
people live. However, parents, teachers, nurses, crossing guards, the
so-called working stiff, ordinary everyday people are the people that
interact and touch the lives of young people on a daily basis. People
that go to work every day to earn an honest living that provide a
service and
[[Page H7034]]
do so in a professional manner, these are the individuals that often
are overlooked, but fortunately not during National Community Role
Models Week. These individuals are motivated every day by traditional
American values such as selflessness, compassion, dedication, courage,
and integrity. They embody these values in their daily work, in their
communities, and in their homes.
Not only should these individuals, the neighbor, dentist, baker,
shopkeeper, Sunday school teacher, scout leader, the lady down the
block who teaches children, young girls how to bake, how to cook, how
to sew, all of these individuals should be honored during National
Community Role Models week but every day they touch the lives of
children in a very positive and enduring way. The ``working stiff'' as
they are often called, the average person, is indeed a national
treasure and should be treated as such. There are thousands and
thousands of individuals throughout our country who give of themselves
on a daily basis in such a way as to empower, enlighten and enrich the
lives of others and especially of children. And when they do so, we
must recognize that they are role models and should be treated as such.
So I am pleased to join in support of this resolution and urge its
passage.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. DAN MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
I urge adoption of House Concurrent Resolution 409. This legislation
supports the goals and ideals of the National Community Role Models
Week. It also commends those unsung heroes, community role models who
make a difference in the lives of children and inspire all of us. I
thank the RARE Foundation of Troy, Michigan, for recognizing community
role models.
Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Speaker, more than anything else, the tragic
events of September 11 helped our Nation realize that it is blessed
with so many wonderful heroes--not only the firefighters and other
emergency personnel that were on the scene but countless others all
over the Nation in our communities who demonstrate daily remarkable
deeds of character, integrity and bravery.
I have introduced this legislation because I believe children must
learn to recognize the strong role models that live in their local
communities. Children need to understand that they are important and
can make a difference no matter their occupation. Although we often
hear inspiring stories about famous celebrities, sports figures, and
civil leaders, we seldom publicly recognize exceptional people right in
our own neighborhoods and communities with whom children can more
readily relate.
The legislation before us today encourages communities to adopt
programs that recognize local heroes and educate children about them,
and supports the goals and ideals of a National Community Role Models
Week.
Establishing an annual week for identifying role models in our local
communities would remind us how each individual, no matter his or her
profession, plays a vital role in the greatness of this Nation.
There are many working individuals in our local communities who are
motivated every day by values such as selflessness, compassion,
dedication, courage, and integrity. Although these people could be
wonderful role models for children in their communities, their efforts
are seldom publicly recognized and, as a result, people in the
community cannot benefit from knowing about them.
As children learn and act by examples they experience on a daily
basis, they need role models from their local community with whom they
can realistically relate. More than rock stars or sports figures, these
individuals can better inspire children to think about their personal
heroes and reflect upon their own dreams and aspirations.
An organization in Troy, Michigan, the RARE (Recognizing
Achievement--Rewarding Excellence) Foundation, has established a
program to recognize outstanding community residents and teach children
about their work ethic, values and accomplishments. The Foundation
helps children develop a sense of purpose and hope for their future by
providing inspirational examples of ordinary people with traditional
jobs who make extraordinary contributions.
Since its inception, the RARE Foundation has identified hundreds of
unsung, silent heroes in the Detroit Metropolitan area. Some award
winners include: an entrepreneur who built a successful company that
teaches moderately handicapped people to live on their own; an
apartment maintenance supervisor who risked his life to save tenants
from a fire; a receptionist who created a care program for the spouses
of terminally ill employees; detectives who worked for years during
evenings and weekends to solve a murder; a principal of an elementary
school located in a poverty-stricken and drug impacted neighborhood who
led the school to achieve the national Blue Ribbon award. These
individuals hold ordinary jobs but distinguish themselves with their
extraordinary dedication, persistence and compassion.
Earlier this year, RARE Foundation teamed up with the Detroit News
and sent brochures to 19,000 classrooms throughout the State of
Michigan asking students to write essays nominating the person who is
their hero. The News received 600 essays in response and selected
winners. During the week of September 11, the Detroit News sent a 20-
page supplement to schools that contained the winning essays, articles
about RARE Award Winners and a teacher's guide for teaching the
qualities and characteristics of heroism.
Heroes in the eyes of 4th through 8th graders included: well-loved
elementary school principals, local philanthropists, challenging and
supportive teachers, school secretaries, venerable coaches, youth
pastors, dentists, nurses, doctors, judges, veterans, and family
members.
H. Con. Res. 409 encourages communities to adopt similar programs
that recognize local heroes and educate children about them.
Childrern need role models today more than ever in our history, and
the role model in the family or next-door is immeasurably more
important than the famous. It is essential that we validate and promote
at a local level the exceptional values possessed by many individuals
within our communities. Ideally, a national role models week would
surround September 11 each year to memorialize the remarkable heroism
and compassion displayed by so many after the terrible attack on our
country. Establishing an annual week for identifying role models in our
local communities would remind us how each individual, no matter his or
her profession, plays a vital role in the progress of this nation.
I encourage my colleagues to support this resolution.
Mr. DAN MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of
my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Dan Miller) that the House suspend the
rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 409.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was
agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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