[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

[[Page H795]]

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

[[Page H796]]

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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