[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 85 (Friday, June 18, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1152]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SUPPORTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD AND ENCOURAGING GREATER INVOLVEMENT 
               OF FATHERS IN THE LIVES OF THEIR CHILDREN

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                               speech of

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 14, 2004

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, it is startling when one in 
three children are raised ``fatherless'', but it is part of our 
reality. Numerous studies have shown the devastating effects on 
children when fathers did not play an active role in their child's 
life. For these reasons, although, it is important to discuss the 
interactions of mother and child, we cannot forget the interactions of 
the whole family and the inclusion of fathers.
  As the Committee on Education and the Workforce discussed the 
reauthorization of Head Start, I was able to have A Fatherhood 
Initiative amendment incorporated into the bill. The initiative is 
intended to strengthen the role of fathers in families, in their 
child's life, and allow them to play an interactive role in their 
child's development and education. By getting fathers involved during 
their child's early years, we hope it will set the precedent for a 
lifetime of bonding and positive interaction between the two. Within 
this initiative and after the general outreach to father, the fathers 
will be included in home visits and targeted for more participation.
  Although we would hope that all fathers would take part in their 
child's life, it is not always the case. This is why my amendment 
extends the father initiative to father figures as well to make sure 
that the male role model is firm in a child's life, whether it is an 
older brother, uncle, grandfather or step-parent.
  Madam Speaker, as we get ready to celebrate Father's Day on Sunday, 
we hope that more fathers will step up to their important role as a 
parent. Yet, it is also a day to give great praise, support and to 
celebrate the fathers in our Nation that never gave up, never backed 
down and have always been fathers and daddies to their children. 
Overall, our focus should be on the child--and to fully bring awareness 
of the best well-being of a child, we must put our efforts on 
strengthening the whole family.

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