[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 12 (Monday, January 22, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H794-H796]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH 2007
Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 29) supporting the goals and
ideals of National Mentoring Month 2007.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 29
Whereas mentoring is a longstanding concept in which a
dependable adult provides guidance, support, and
encouragement to facilitate a young person's social,
emotional, and cognitive development;
Whereas high-quality mentoring promotes positive outcomes
for young people, including an increased sense of industry
and competency, a boost in academic performance and self-
esteem, and improved social and communications skills;
Whereas research on mentoring shows that participation in a
high-quality mentoring relationship successfully reduces the
incidence of risky behavior, delinquency, absenteeism, and
academic failure in young people;
Whereas mentoring, in addition to being beneficial for
those being mentored, is also extremely rewarding for those
serving as mentors;
Whereas quality programs that encourage young people to
learn about mentoring and to become mentors, such as programs
that recruit high school students to mentor younger children,
are important and have the potential to create high-quality
mentors at an early age;
Whereas mentoring relationships have grown dramatically in
the past 15 years, now reaching 3 million young Americans,
because of the remarkable creativity, vigor, and
resourcefulness of the thousands of mentoring programs and
millions of volunteer mentors in communities throughout the
Nation;
Whereas, in spite of the progress made to increase
mentoring, our Nation has a serious ``mentoring gap,'' with
nearly 15 million young people currently in need of mentors;
Whereas a recent study confirmed that one of the most
critical challenges that mentoring programs face is
recruiting enough mentors to help close the mentoring gap;
Whereas in December 2006, the President designated January
2007 as National Mentoring Month to call attention to the
critical role mentors play in helping young people realize
their potential;
Whereas the month-long celebration of mentoring will
encourage more individuals and organizations, including
schools, businesses, nonprofit organizations, faith
institutions, and foundations, to become engaged in mentoring
across our Nation; and
Whereas National Mentoring Month will build awareness of
mentoring and recruit more individuals to become mentors,
thus helping close our Nation's mentoring gap: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the goals and ideals of National Mentoring
Month;
(2) acknowledges the diligent efforts of individuals and
groups who promote mentoring and who are observing National
Mentoring Month with appropriate ceremonies and activities to
further promote awareness of and volunteer involvement with
youth mentoring;
(3) recognizes with gratitude the contributions of the
millions of caring adults and students who are already
volunteering as mentors; and
(4) encourages more adults and students to volunteer as
mentors.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
California (Mrs. Davis) and the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr.
Wilson) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.
General Leave
Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days
during which Members may insert material relevant to House Resolution
29 into the Record and to revise and extend their remarks.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from California?
There was no objection.
Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
I rise today, Mr. Speaker, to honor those who make a difference in
the lives of our young people across the United States. This January
marks the National Mentoring Month 2007, a month-long event honoring
those who are mentors. This event also draws attention to the great
need for additional volunteer mentors.
As we know, Mr. Speaker, many of our children can become lost at an
early age without a responsible adult to show them the way. Our
children need to know that somebody older cares, and that is what
mentoring is all about, showing our kids that we care. Unfortunately,
many of our children do not have such an adult in their lives, and
without a solid role model, the consequences for our children can be
detrimental.
Mr. Speaker, a third of those entering high school do not graduate
and will face limited job prospects, according to the Government
Accountability Office. This alarming statistic I think would be lower
if each one of these kids had a solid mentor to stress the importance
of education.
There is no substitute for a healthy relationship with an adult. A
caring adult is one of the most important aspects of adolescent
development. When a responsible and reliable adult becomes a mentor,
the benefits to the mentee last a lifetime.
Another aspect of mentoring sometimes that we overlook are the vast
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benefits to the mentors themselves. Helping a younger person find their
way can be extremely fulfilling, and often those who become a mentor
continue to volunteer throughout their lives.
Chris Warren became a mentor to Joshua Becerra in my hometown of San
Diego through the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program in 1999. As a
mentor, Chris taught Joshua the value of education and encouraged him
to study hard in school. Joshua is now a student at High Tech High
School and has already visited UCLA, San Diego State University and
other campuses trying to decide where to attend college.
As a role model, the relationship has given Chris a healthier
perspective on what is important in life, that is, helping others.
The relationship between Joshua and Chris shows what a mentor can do
for a young person, and it also shows the joy it can bring to the
mentor.
Millions of adults nationwide have similar relationships with
children who face problems at home or struggle at school.
Unfortunately, research shows that about 15 million children across the
United States are in need of a good role model.
This resolution calls on more adults to make a difference in the
lives of our young people, and we in Congress also need to heed this
call. Federal programs that encourage mentoring need our support. The
Mentoring Children of Prisoners program began in 2001 to provide
guidance and friendship to children with at least one incarcerated
parent. Funding for the program was targeted for a 20 percent reduction
for the current fiscal year. Funding for a number of mentoring programs
through the Department of Education was targeted for considerable
reductions as well. I urge my colleagues to increase our support for
these programs and to put a priority on mentoring.
We must also encourage programs that recruit young people to become
mentors to those who are younger. It is these programs that will help
create a cycle of mentoring between the generations.
The bottom line: our children need strong, responsible mentors.
Again, Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the millions of adults,
and there are millions of them out there, who are mentoring our
children, and call on more adults to become role models to those who
are in need.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, for the opportunity to bring this
resolution to the House floor to call attention to this worthy cause on
the occasion of National Mentoring Month 2007. I urge its passage
today.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time
as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 29, which
celebrates mentors who are positively impacting the lives of young
people and highlights the need for additional mentors to make
themselves available to America's youth.
I applaud Representative Susan Davis' continued efforts to draw
attention and support to this very important issue, and I appreciate
her dedicated leadership in this area.
Mentors give their time and energy to improve the lives of American
young people who increasingly spend less time with concerned adult role
models. According to the National Mentoring Institute, young people
with mentors are roughly half as likely as those without mentors to
begin using illegal drugs, 27 percent less likely to begin using
alcohol, and 50 percent less prone to absenteeism from school. The
positive effects of mentoring also include the improvement of academic
achievement, a reduction in violent behavior, and a higher self-esteem.
In December 2006, President Bush proclaimed January 2007 as National
Mentoring Month, giving public recognition to mentors who serve as role
models and provide quality involvement and interaction in the lives of
America's youth.
{time} 1415
As the President said, ``Through friendship and encouragement,
mentors can help prepare young Americans for a hopeful future.''
By honoring mentors and mentoring programs, we recognize the
importance of mentoring programs implemented in our local schools and
communities. We also draw attention to the components of a quality
program, including appropriate screening of potential mentors and
careful matching of youth with adults who have a genuine interest in
providing guidance and being exemplary role models.
Mentoring programs are varied and unique. They can be school-based or
faith-based, and they may be established through community
organizations or corporate initiatives. I encourage people across the
country to take the time to discover what mentoring programs exist in
their communities and see what they can do to help. Many volunteers are
needed to meet the growing demand for mentors.
Again, I am pleased to recognize the important work of mentors and
the quality mentoring programs, and I urge Members to support this
resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, does the gentleman have any
other speakers on that side of the aisle?
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, there are no further
speakers.
Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I really am pleased to be here
on behalf of this resolution today. I urge and thank those who have
continued to volunteer as mentors in our communities to continue on
with those efforts, and I urge that those adults who have not embarked
on mentoring think about it and join with some organizations that could
help them move forward and help many of our young people who are in the
community today and who need their help, their support and certainly
the caring that they bring.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.
Res. 29, to support the goals and ideals of National Mentoring Month.
As Chair of the Congressional Children's Caucus, I would like to thank
the gentlewoman from California, Mrs. Davis, for introducing this bill
to highlight the importance of mentoring our youth.
Mr. Speaker, today many youth face temptations that often lead them
down destructive paths and it is vitally important that we provide
guidance that helps them make good decisions.
Mentors have been an integral part of society for many years, dating
back to Ancient Greece. The Greek poet Homer wrote in the Odyssey, that
when Odysseus left to fight in the Trojan War, he charged Mentor, his
wise old friend, with the task of caring for his son, Telemachus, and
teaching him wisdom. Since then, the word mentor has come to mean a
wise and responsible tutor or an experienced person who advises,
guides, teaches, challenges, corrects, and serves as a model.
In our society today, mentors exist in many different environments.
There are mentors in professional settings who guide apprentices by
teaching them how to effectively perform in the workplace. There are
mentors in academic settings who guide students, teaching them how to
reach and maintain high scholastic achievement. There are mentors in
community groups who guide their proteges through life issues, teaching
them how to be productive citizens. There are mentors in spiritual and
church groups who advise others through their spiritual growth. In all
cases, they are very important and essential to the success of the
youth that they mentor.
Who needs mentors?
There are 35.2 million young people ages 10-18 in the U.S. today; of
those young people: 1 out of 4 lives with only one parent; 1 out of 10
was born to teen parents; 1 out of 5 lives in poverty; 1 out of 10 will
not finish high school.
About half of young Americans--17.6 million young people--want or
need caring adult mentors to help them succeed in life. Of those 17.6
million young people, only 2.5 million are currently in formal
mentoring relationships.
That leaves 15.1 million youth still in need of formal mentoring
relationships. We call this our nation's ``mentoring gap.''
Mr. Speaker, imagine if every child had a mentor--just one person
whom they could look up to and go to for advice and guidance. Imagine
how many young lives could be positively impacted. We could create the
avenues and encouragement to ensure that all of our children receive
the proper education. Too many of our youth are not being properly
advised and guided on the importance of getting an education.
Mentors can help give those youth living in poverty to strive towards
a brighter future for themselves. Every child could benefit from having
someone in his or her life to turn to for advice and help in the time
of need.
National research has shown that children who have mentors are more
confident in their
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academic performance, able to get along better with their families, 46
percent less likely to begin using illegal drugs, 27 percent less
likely to begin using alcohol and 52 percent less likely to skip
school. The positive relationships and reinforcement that mentors
provide is clearly effective.
I applaud the efforts of the mentors in our nation who encourage and
motivate our youth to realize their worth and become productive
citizens. I urge my colleagues to join me in thanking and supporting
them by passing this resolution, H. Res. 29.
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 29,
which has been introduced in recognition of the goals and ideals of
National Mentoring Month for 2007. Young people today are confronted
with many challenges in life. They can find the confidence to overcome
many of these challenges through a mentor.
The benefits of a mentor are immeasurable. We take this opportunity
today through consideration of this resolution to honor those mentors
who unselfishly give of their time to encourage and support students
across our country. Mentors provide important guidance and friendship
to students and they serve as positive role models in our community.
Mentors listen and above all, they care.
Mentors leave an indelible imprint on our minds and hearts. I, as
well as many of my colleagues, had mentors that helped us shape our
aspirations and achieve our goals. The confidence and support that they
provide is something that every young person deserves.
Unfortunately, there are not enough mentors for the millions of
children who want or need them. Currently, as this resolution notes,
approximately 15 million young people are in need of mentors across our
country. As we celebrate National Mentoring Month, let us commit
ourselves to raising awareness and to promoting the rewards of
mentoring for mentors, our children, our communities and our country.
I also take this opportunity today to commend the young people who
participate in mentoring programs. Their involvement in mentoring
partnerships demonstrates their personal commitment to improve the
lives of others. Let us continue to encourage them by providing
additional opportunities and resources to enhance and reinforce their
mentoring work. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this
resolution.
Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my
time, and urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance
of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis) that the House suspend the
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 29.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of
those voting have responded in the affirmative.
Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and
nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this question will
be postponed.
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