[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 11 (Tuesday, February 3, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E96]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING MENTORS AND SUPPORTING EFFORTS TO RECRUIT MENTORS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 21, 2004

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, as co-chair of the mentoring caucus, I 
rise in support of H. Res. 491. This bill expresses the sense of the 
House of Representatives regarding the benefits of mentoring.
  Mentoring programs that link children and young adults with the 
greatest needs to responsible adults are a proven method to help our 
struggling children. One valuable mentoring program is Big Brothers Big 
Sisters. In the St. Paul/Minneapolis region alone, more than 3000 
children benefit from this mentoring program.
  According to Kari Davis, the executive director of the Mentoring 
Partnership of Minnesota:

       Mentoring is about guiding and supporting young people so 
     they can realize their highest dreams and potential. 
     Minnesota maintains hundreds of quality youth mentoring 
     programs that are community, school or workplace-based. With 
     increased and sustained federal funding, mentoring programs 
     can build their capacity to reach the 75,000 Minnesota young 
     people who could benefit from a mentor.

  I was so proud last night to have 2 outstanding people from Minnesota 
in the audience at the State of the Union last night. Little Brother 
David Moreno and Big Brother Jim Diesing were guests at last night's 
address. Paired together since 1998, their initial friendship has 
turned into more of a family bond. David is excelling in school, even 
taking an advanced math class. Jim has learned what is really important 
in life. They are a shining example of the good that comes from 
mentoring.
  I encourage all of my colleagues to support this legislation and to 
look for opportunities to mentor themselves. I would like to thank the 
sponsor of this bill, Mr. Osborne from Nebraska, whose cousin the 
Honorable Kathleen Vellenga was a mentor of mine when I served in the 
Minnesota House of Representatives.




                          ____________________