[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 94 (Tuesday, June 12, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H6251-H6254]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF FATHERS IN THE HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT OF
CHILDREN
Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 474) recognizing the immeasurable contributions of
fathers in the healthy development of children, supporting responsible
fatherhood, and encouraging greater involvement of fathers in the lives
of their children, especially on Father's Day.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 474
Whereas fathers factor significantly in the lives of
children;
Whereas fathers play an important role in teaching their
children life lessons and preparing them to succeed in school
and in life;
Whereas children with involved fathers are more likely to
do well in school, have a better sense of well-being, and
have fewer behavioral problems;
Whereas supportive fathers promote the positive physical,
social, emotional, and mental development of children;
Whereas promoting responsible fatherhood can help increase
the chances that children will grow up with two caring
parents;
Whereas, when fathers are actively involved in the
upbringing of children, the children demonstrate greater
self-control and a greater ability to take initiative;
Whereas responsible fatherhood can help reduce child
poverty;
Whereas responsible fatherhood strengthens families and
communities; and
Whereas Father's Day is the third Sunday in June: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) commends the millions of fathers who serve as a
wonderful, caring parent for their children;
(2) calls on fathers across the United States to use
Father's Day to reconnect and rededicate themselves to their
children's lives, to spend Father's Day with their children,
and to express their love and support for their children;
(3) urges men to understand the level of responsibility
fathering a child requires, especially in the encouragement
of the moral, academic, and spiritual development of
children; and
(4) encourages active involvement of fathers in the rearing
and development of their children, including the devotion of
time, energy, and resources.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Hare) and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. David Davis)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.
Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the immeasurable contributions
of fathers in the lives of children, especially as we prepare to
celebrate Father's Day this Sunday, June 17. While the amount of time a
father spends with his child can be quantified, the total contribution
to his child's healthy development cannot. Children with involved
fathers tend to do better in school, have fewer behavioral problems and
demonstrate greater self-control.
Supportive fathers also promote the positive physical, social,
emotional, and mental development of their children. Responsible
fatherhood can increase the chances children will grow up with two
caring parents. Additionally, it can lead to reduction in child poverty
and strengthen families as well as communities.
So as we come upon Father's Day, we would like to recognize and thank
the fathers throughout this country who play an active role in the
lives of their children.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to pass House Resolution 474,
recognizing the contributions of fathers in the healthy development of
children, supporting responsible fatherhood and encouraging greater
involvement of fathers in the lives of their children.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVID DAVIS of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, as a proud father of two,
I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 474,
recognizing the immeasurable contribution of fathers in the healthy
development of
[[Page H6252]]
children, supporting responsible fatherhood, and encouraging greater
involvement of fathers in the lives of their children, especially on
Father's Day.
William Shakespeare wrote, ``It is a wise father that knows his own
child.'' The truism of these words is exceedingly relevant today. The
presence of two committed, involved parents contributes directly to
better academic performance, reduced substance abuse, less crime and
delinquency, fewer emotional and other behavioral problems, less risk
of abuse and neglect and lower risk of teen suicide.
The research is clear: Fathers factor significantly in the lives of
their children. There is simply no substitute for the love, involvement
and commitment of a responsible father.
The fathers of yesteryear thought that merely being a good provider
meant that they were good fathers. Fathers today have the
responsibility to set aside quality time for their children in ways
that may contribute to happy memories that last a lifetime. Fathers
realize that their time with children is really an investment in them.
Being an involved father is good for children and good for fathers.
And while each father is a unique person who parents in his own way and
style, there are some characteristics that good fathers have in common.
Good fathers are involved in the lives of their children. They attend
their children's school events, games and activities. They also involve
their children in their lives and the adult world by taking them to see
the workplace, taking them along when the car needs to be repaired or
involving them in decisions that affect the family.
{time} 1110
Good fathers set limits and are firm. They let their children know
their beliefs and expectations but rely on explanations and reasoning
rather than force. Indeed, today's lifestyles are changing. More and
more fathers are effectively balancing their personal, work, and family
times. Both children and fathers are realizing the importance of the
father's role, and there are ever-increasing amounts of research being
conducted on the father's role in today's families. These findings
document the importance of the father's role, the profound influence of
fathers in children's growth and development, and the characteristics
that good fathers have in common.
Fathers play a significant role in shaping the character of their
children. By spending time with their sons and daughters, being stern
yet fair disciplinarians, and listening to their experiences, fathers
mold and shape their children into the men and women they will become.
As advisers and role models, fathers help their children to understand
the difference between right and wrong and to recognize how the
decisions they make today can affect the rest of their lives. Fathers
instill important values that prepare their children for the challenges
and opportunities ahead by demonstrating true leadership. Their love
and devotion inspire the future generation of Americans to achieve
their dreams and demonstrate the true spirit of our country.
A father is one of the most important influences in a child's life.
On Father's Day and every day, we honor our fathers and celebrate the
special bond between a father and a child. I am honored to rise today
in support of this resolution and in honoring all of our fathers for
the roles that they play and for the love they give.
I ask my colleagues to support this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
General Leave
Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which
Members may insert materials relevant to House Resolution 474 into the
Record.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Illinois?
There was no objection.
Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to a
member of the House Education and Labor Committee, my good friend,
Representative Davis from Illinois.
(Mr. DAVIS of Illinois asked and was given permission to revise and
extend his remarks.)
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. First of all, I want to thank my colleague,
the gentleman from Illinois, for yielding time, and I also want to
commend him for the tremendous leadership that he continues to play,
even as a new Member of Congress.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 474 and take this
opportunity to congratulate all of my colleagues who hold the honor and
privilege of fatherhood. It is widely understood and acknowledged that
the benefits of an actively involved father in the lives of children
not only helps but plays a vital role in the formation of successful
youth and in the development of contributing members of society. It
should come as no surprise that, according to the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services, fatherless children are at a dramatically
greater risk of drug and alcohol abuse. We know that fatherless
children are twice as likely to drop out of school. Just over 41
percent of fatherless families with children are poor, while only 7
percent of children headed by a married couple are considered poor.
Furthermore, over two-thirds of mother-only families live twice below
the poverty line.
Our work today and our work in Congress should not only focus on
acknowledging fatherhood but it should focus on empowering fathers to
have the capabilities and incentives to be more responsible for their
children. Barriers to employment, such as a lack of high school or
college degree, as well as criminal histories and substance abuse, all
contribute to the lack of fathers in the household and the lack of a
regular source of income and the ability to contribute to the family.
It is not enough to fill this room with words. The only way to improve
the ever-increasing number of families without fathers is through
targeting the problems that fathers face by going to the source. One
way of doing this is through support of the Responsible Fatherhood and
Healthy Families Act. Removing employment barriers for noncustodial
parents, which mostly tend to be fathers, would be of tremendous
benefit. By funding grants to promote reasonable fatherhood, we are
directly promoting the futures of innocent children while concurrently
strengthening the family.
Social scientists have for years debated the role of the father in
the family. It is consistently among the top interest of psychologists.
Leading professionals indicate that fathers provide role models for
their sons to learn how to be a man, whereas girls need fathers to
learn how to relate to a man in significant ways. Fathers also tend to
constrain and correct violent and antisocial behavior better than
anyone else, as well as challenge and promote such characteristics as
independence, assertiveness, and achievement. But this is not a new
phenomenon. George Herbert, the famous medieval poet and orator,
understood. He said that one father is more than a hundred
schoolmasters. How true that word is today.
I conclude, Mr. Speaker, by remembering the fact that every year I
give away scholarships, money that we go out and kind of find for kids
to go to college. And on the form, there is an application that says,
put down the name of your mother and father, what they do. I must
confess that I have been most disheartened, because in some instances
children have written on the application form, DNA, meaning that the
name of the father does not apply. In some instances they have even
written ``unknown.'' Or in other instances they have written
``irrelevant.'' Or ``does not matter.'' If we are to strengthen
families, if we are to strengthen our society, then we must find a way
to help so many of the individuals who have been out of the picture to
cop back in and take on their responsible role of fatherhood.
I thank the gentleman again from Illinois for yielding time. I thank
you, Mr. Speaker. And I also use this moment to say thank you to my own
father who died 2 years ago, 92 years old. Much of the reason that I
stand here today is because of him.
Mr. DAVID DAVIS of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield as
much time as he may consume to my good friend and fellow Tennessean,
Mr. Duncan.
Mr. DUNCAN. I want to first thank the gentleman from Tennessee for
yielding me this time. I want to also commend the gentleman from North
Carolina (Mr. McIntyre) for bringing
[[Page H6253]]
this resolution before us today and commend all of the cosponsors, Mr.
Davis and others.
Mr. Speaker, some people might think this is an insignificant
resolution. I think there is probably very little that we could talk
about today that would be more important than fatherhood and the
important role it plays in the life of this Nation. This was brought
home to me most vividly in January 1981 when I became judge of the
criminal court in Knox County, Tennessee, trying felony criminal cases,
the murders, rapes, armed robberies, the most serious cases. I was told
that first day by Gary Tullock, the chief probation counselor for east
Tennessee, 16 counties in east Tennessee, that 98 percent of the
defendants in felony cases came from father-absent households. I'm not
sure that it is quite that high, but I know it's well over 90 percent.
It's the entire crime problem.
I hasten to say that I know many good people have come from father-
absent households, but I also know that children cannot raise
themselves. And because 96 or 97 percent of the people plead guilty in
criminal cases and then apply for probation, I went through over 10,000
cases in the 7\1/2\ years that I served as judge. I cannot tell you how
many times I read over and over and over and over again: ``Defendant's
father left home to get pack of cigarettes and never came back.''
``Defendant's father left home when defendant was 2 and never
returned.''
And so I can say this, that father-absent households not only are the
root of our crime problem, all the things like drugs and alcohol and
all of that come secondary. I know there are exceptions to everything
that you say, but we need to get into the minds of our young people and
teach them how important it is that fathers don't desert their children
as so many millions of fathers have unfortunately over the years and
have gone out of the lives of their children much to the detriment of
those young people and to the detriment of this Nation.
I support this resolution and I commend all of those who have brought
this to the floor today.
{time} 1120
Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. McIntyre).
Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to rise today in strong
support of H. Res. 474, recognizing the immeasurable contributions of
fathers in the healthy development of children, supporting responsible
fatherhood, and encouraging greater involvement of fathers in the lives
of our children, especially on this coming Father's Day.
I want to thank Chairman George Miller, Ranking Member McKeon, and
all of the members on the Education and Labor Committee. And I would
like to thank Mr. Hare for supporting this resolution and helping to
bring it to the floor this week. I also want to thank the staff of the
National Fatherhood Initiative for their assistance with this
resolution and their tireless efforts on a year-around basis to promote
responsible fatherhood across this great Nation.
Father's Day was first conceived in 1909 by Sonora Dodd in Spokane,
Washington. In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson issued a Presidential
proclamation designating the third Sunday in June as Father's Day. And
in 1972, President Richard Nixon signed a public law making that public
designation permanent.
Here in Congress I am grateful we have an opportunity to have a task
force on fatherhood promotion that also works on a year-round basis
with the National Fatherhood Initiative and with many Members of
Congress on a bipartisan basis to support the positive initiatives of
involving fathers in their children's lives and honoring those fathers
on a national basis who have been upheld for making a difference in
children's lives everywhere.
This is a task force that Congressman Joe Pitts and I started 11
years ago when we first came to Congress, and I am thrilled that over
the last decade and past year that it has gone well, and we have an
opportunity each year to come to the floor with a resolution such as
this one.
This Sunday, June 17, Americans will celebrate Father's Day once
again. We use this day to honor the contributions made by the estimated
64.3 million fathers in the United States. We also use this day to
encourage all fathers to reflect on the responsibility fathering a
child requires and the importance of their involvement in the lives of
their children.
With two sons of my own, Joshua and Stephen, who have been here often
on this floor, I know firsthand the rewards and responsibilities of
being a father; and I am grateful, indeed, to my own father, Dr.
Douglas McIntyre, back home in Lumberton, North Carolina, for his
impact upon my life.
It is only appropriate that Father's Day be a tribute, that we here
in the U.S. House of Representatives pass this resolution in
recognition of the contributions of fathers everywhere. I strongly
encourage all of my colleagues to support this.
Mr. DAVID DAVIS of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, in honor of my own father,
Lawrence Davis, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, I just want to briefly close by saying
something about my own father.
As the gentleman from Tennessee was talking about his dad, I have
three sisters, and I can remember my dad having to work three jobs to
make ends meet for our family. I wouldn't be here today if it weren't
for him. I miss him terribly. He has been gone a number of years, but
today, as we honor fathers, I remember him and thank him.
One thing my dad did every night when we had dinner, when he could
make it, was to tell a joke to my three sisters and myself. He said
this world is such a serious place to live in, every now and then you
need to laugh and smile. I remember that each and every day. I hope my
father gave me sense of humor that sometimes people find a little
annoying.
Mr. WELLER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support
of H. Res. 474. As we approach Father's Day weekend, it is appropriate
for us to recognize the importance of fathers in the lives of their
children. Children who live with their fathers do better in school, are
less likely to use drugs or engage in other criminal behavior, and are
less likely to experience health, emotional, or behavioral problems. In
so many ways, involved fathers provide needed support for their
children and serve as role models as they develop.
Unfortunately, too many children today do not live with or even
frequently see their fathers. This has forced millions of young mothers
across the Nation to single-handedly raise their children, struggling
to provide them with the love and support needed to succeed in today's
world. It is a sad reality that for millions of children, their mother
has to play the role of both mom and dad, a task that is not only
difficult for the mother but which despite her efforts far too often
results in that child living in poverty, among other challenges.
To help address this situation, the 1996 welfare reform law included
promoting marriage and family formation and the maintenance of two-
parent families as key purposes of welfare programs.
Under the direction of the Ways and Means Committee on which I serve,
legislation reauthorizing the 1996 welfare reform law in the last
Congress included specific funding for healthy marriage and fatherhood
grant programs to improve the well-being of children. These fatherhood
grants were designed to promote responsible fatherhood by funding
projects developed by public, private, and often faith-based groups to
help fathers establish positive relationships with their children and
the children's mothers, improve job skills, increase child support
payments, and promote marriage among parents. Activities can include
counseling, mentoring, providing information about the benefits of
marriage and two-parent involvement for children and the prevention of
domestic violence and child abuse, financial planning seminars, and
education on good parenting practices.
Last October, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
announced $119 million in awards to 225 grantees for promotion of
healthy marriages and responsible fatherhood. These grants are designed
to make a difference in the lives of children, fathers, and families by
supporting groups already at work trying to help men become better
fathers.
As we honor our own fathers this week, we should also thank those who
are working every day to help more men become better fathers. The last
Congress took concrete steps to support them. In the congressional
district I represent, a recent fatherhood event took place that is
described in the June 11 Catholic News Service article, provided below.
As efforts such as this and those supported by the recent Federal
grants take hold, we will be watching for evidence that more children
are
[[Page H6254]]
spending every day, and not just Father's Day, with an involved and
supportive father.
[From the Catholic News Service, June 11, 2007]
Fathers' Involvement Key in Lives of Children, Says Catholic Charities
Conference
(By Paul Storer)
Joliet, IL. (CNS).--A convicted drug dealer, 28-year-old
Exulam Holman knows his actions have caused pain to those
closest to him. The father of three young children, former
gang member and ex-addict was released three months ago from
prison. Today, he is desperately trying to put his life in
order.
Holman's painstaking quest to reclaim his life spurred him
to take part in a fatherhood conference sponsored by Catholic
Charities of the Diocese of Joliet. ``I want to make things
right for my kids,'' he told the Catholic Explorer, Joliet
diocesan newspaper, during the June 2 event.
``I've messed up,'' he said. ``But I've asked God to help
me. I have to get myself right with God.''
About 100 people attended the third annual conference,
aimed at getting fathers more involved in the lives of their
children, said Ronald Roseboro, site supervisor of early
childhood services for Catholic Charities and coordinator of
the event.
Fathers of children in the agency's early childhood
programs were encouraged to attend the gathering, said
Roseboro. Other fathers from Joliet and surrounding
communities were also invited to attend.
The presence of two nurturing parents minimizes the
possibility their children will abuse drugs or alcohol, join
gangs or involve themselves in other dangerous situations,
said Roseboro. A father's leadership and guidance has a
definite impact on his children's lives, he continued. ``It's
like dropping a pebble into a pond and watching the ripples
it makes.''
Guest speakers from diverse backgrounds led various
workshops during the conference.
A father of five, Rev. Eugene Fears, pastor of Joliet's
Redeem Church of God in Christ, spoke of healthy
relationships. The no-nonsense preacher relied on his own
experiences to build a case for sound communication and
devotion between spouses.
``A commitment pushes through adversity,'' he told
conference participants. He urged the men to ``learn to make
adjustments'' and to avoid ``self-centered'' attitudes. ``We
need to learn to give of ourselves,'' Rev. Fears said.
Fathers who leave and don't compensate their families are
often called ``deadbeat dads,'' but the reality is they are
often simply ``dead broke,'' Warren Cottrell, director of the
Joliet branch of the Illinois Child Support Enforcement
program, said in an interview with the Explorer. He was on
hand to field questions from participants during the
conference.
Most fathers understand their responsibilities. They choose
to turn their backs on their families, however, when they
realize they cannot adequately provide for them. ``It's the
male ego,'' said Cottrell.
Applauding Catholic Charities for broaching the topic with
the conference, the administrator noted that fathers must be
encouraged to do the right thing.
Cottrell said the welfare system in Illinois has many
cracks. Jobless fathers are leaving their families so mothers
can qualify for government aid. There are countless programs
for single mothers in need of assistance. At the. same time,
government programs need to be created to educate fathers and
provide them with skills to remain with their families, he
said.
Darnell Terrell's children participate in the Catholic
Charities Head Start program at St. John's Head Start Center
in Joliet. The owner of a disc-jockey business and father of
six praised the other men who attended the conference. ``It
takes a real man to listen to others about fatherhood
responsibilities.''
Kenneth White and Donald Waddell, human services
consultants and family counselors, shared startling
statistics compiled by the National Fatherhood Initiative
during their workshop. The findings highlight the fact that
the absence of fathers has a serious effect on families.
More than 70 percent of teens who have committed homicide
grew up without fathers. Approximately 60 percent of rapists
were raised in fatherless homes. Three out of four teen
suicides occur in single-parent families. And the list goes
on and on, they said.
Substance abuse fuels domestic problems that work to break
families apart, according to the two experts in the field.
Presenting a workshop on the effects of addiction on
fatherhood, White and Waddell described the impact that
narcotics and alcohol have on the family unit and discussed
some proven methods for combating the problem.
Addiction among parents needs to be addressed and curbed,
Waddell told the Explorer, because children of parents who
abuse drugs often become addicted themselves during
adolescence and later in life. ``We want to break that
cycle,'' he said.
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 Illinois (Mr. Hare) that the House suspend the rules and
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 474.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. HARE. 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.
____________________