[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 10 (Wednesday, January 23, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H417-H420]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH
Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend
the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 908) supporting the
goals and ideals of National Mentoring Month.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 908
Whereas youth mentoring establishes a structured and
trusting relationship between young people and caring
individuals who offer guidance, support, and encouragement;
Whereas a growing body of mentoring research provides
strong evidence that mentoring programs are successful in
reducing delinquency, substance use and abuse, and academic
failure;
Whereas research also shows that formal mentoring that is
focused on developing the competence and character of the
young person promotes positive outcomes such as improved
academic achievement, self-esteem, social skills, and career
development;
Whereas mentoring provides a supportive environment in
which young people can grow, expand their vision of the
future, and achieve goals that they never thought possible;
Whereas more than 4,000 mentoring programs in communities
of all sizes across the United States focus on building
strong, effective relationships between mentors and mentees;
Whereas public-private mentoring partnerships bring State
and local leaders together to support mentoring programs by
preventing duplication of efforts, offering training in best
practices, and helping mentoring programs make the most of
the limited resources available to benefit the Nation's
youth;
Whereas the Corporation for National and Community Service
has convened--
(1) the Federal Mentoring Council, which brings together
several Federal agencies to coordinate approaches to
mentoring within the Federal Government; and
(2) the National Mentoring Working Group, consisting of
experts in mentoring from non-profit organizations and
foundations, to share information and ideas about mentoring
programs;
Whereas more than 15,000,000 young people in the United
States fall into a mentoring gap and still need mentors;
Whereas coordinated national, State, regional, and local
efforts need Federal support to connect more youth with the
powerful benefits that result from mentoring;
Whereas designation of January 2008 as National Mentoring
Month will help 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 organizations across the United States,
including schools, businesses, nonprofit organizations, faith
institutions, foundations, and individuals to become engaged
in mentoring;
Whereas National Mentoring Month will--
(1) build awareness of mentoring;
(2) encourage more people to become mentors; and
(3) help close the Nation's mentoring gap; and
Whereas the President issued a proclamation declaring
January 2008 to be National Mentoring Month and calling on
the people of the United States to--
(1) recognize the importance of mentoring;
(2) look for opportunities to serve as mentors in their
communities; and
(3) observe the month with appropriate activities and
programs: 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 the month
with appropriate ceremonies and activities that 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 (Ms. Linda T. Sanchez) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr.
Keller) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.
General Leave
Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous
consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend
their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from California?
There was no objection.
Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I
would like to yield as much time as she may consume to the author of
this bill, the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms. McCollum).
Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, as a cochair of the
Congressional Mentoring Caucus, I rise today in strong support of H.R.
908, supporting the goals and ideals of National Mentoring Month.
Thank you, Chairman Kildee and Chairman Miller, for bringing this
legislation so quickly to the floor. I would also like to thank the
other Chairs of the mentoring caucus, Ms. Davis of California, Mr.
Keller of Florida and Mr. Rogers of Michigan, who are the original
cosponsors of this legislation.
The term ``mentor'' is from a Greek story in mythology. Odysseus
asked his friend, Mentor, to teach and watch his young son, Telemachus,
as he was off to fight in the Trojan War. This special relationship
between Telemachus and his mentor was centered on education, friendship
and advice, something we all need from time to time. Mentoring was
then, and continues to be, a special caring and supportive relationship
between two people based on mutual trust and respect.
Mentoring relationships are between a mentor, an adult, and a mentee,
a young adult or child, that focuses on the need of that young person.
Caring adults, parents, teachers, counselors, religious leaders, they
are all mentors, and they are all able to influence a child's life, and
they are able to do that because they provide a foundation of love,
support and guidance.
Millions of individuals across this country serve as mentors to young
men and women, encouraging them to develop strong characters and have
healthy identities of themselves, so that as an adult they will be able
to contribute back to our society.
In a review of 10 mentoring programs, there are indicators that one-
on-one mentoring significantly enhances positive youth development in
ways that we can measure: better school performance, better social
skills, but most importantly, the ability for them to want to continue
on with higher education and college. And that is according to a recent
national youth conference that was held at the University of Minnesota.
In Minnesota alone, there are 335 mentoring organizations. One of
them, the Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota, was formed in 1994 as a
community initiative to promote mentoring for Minnesota's youth,
particularly for those who are at risk and may not have an opportunity
to have many positive role models in their life. This program has made
a significant positive improvement in the lives of those children.
Another wonderful mentoring program is Big Brothers and Big Sisters.
[[Page H418]]
In the St. Paul-Minneapolis region alone, there are more than 307,000
children that benefit from this mentoring program with the time, energy
and commitment from more than 3,200 volunteers.
The new Youth Initiative Mentoring Academy is another successful
program in Minnesota. This energetic program works with children at
risk. These young children receive hands-on learning experiences about
career opportunities, building confidence and self-esteem, and develop
valuable leadership skills.
Mentoring is also an important part of our global competitiveness.
For example, in my district, Century College offers a preengineering
program that includes the Century College Robot Show. Engineering
students enter their projects, the college invites practicing engineers
to judge the show, and Century College also extends an invitation to
high school students to come so that they are able to see the
opportunities available to them if they choose to study engineering.
But it also gives them a chance to hook up with students and
professionals who can help them steer interests in the right direction
towards a successful career.
I would also like to take time to thank all the congressional staff
members, including many from my staff, who take time to mentor youth in
programs such as Everyone Wins, Horton's Kids, and the Calvary Homeless
Shelter.
We all have an important role to play in the lives of children around
us. We all need to be part of the process in shaping young lives so
that they can achieve their fullest potential. Our youth need caring
adults to make the connection in order to provide guidance and
emotional support, to make a positive impact on their lives so that
young children can become responsible, productive citizens.
I encourage all of my colleagues to support this resolution, and I
look forward for opportunities to be a mentor myself again in the
future as I had been in the past. But I also encourage my colleagues to
look for opportunities to be mentors as well.
Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. KELLER of Florida. I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 908 which
recognizes National Mentoring Month. National Mentoring Month
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
McCollum for sponsoring this resolution, and as a cosponsor I look
forward to further bipartisan efforts to draw attention to support this
very important issue.
Mentors give their time and energy to improve the lives of American
young people who are increasingly spending less time with concerned
adult role models. Young people with mentors are less likely to drop
out of school, use illegal drugs, or engage in criminal behavior. The
positive effects of mentoring include higher self-esteem, higher
graduation rates, and higher academic achievement. I have personally
seen the positive impacts of mentoring firsthand. As a young boy, I
benefited from having a mentor from the Big Brother Big Sisters
program. As I became an adult, I then became a mentor to two high
school students at my alma mater, Boone High School, who were at risk
of dropping out of high school, but fortunately stayed in school and
graduated.
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I then became chairman of the board of the COMPACT mentoring program,
which is the largest mentoring program in central Florida and it is
targeted at at-risk students in high schools and middle schools who
possibly may drop out of school. I am pleased to report that we were
able to recruit 700 new mentors and the COMPACT program has a 95
percent success rate of kids staying in school and going on to
graduate. In fact, one of the mentors for the COMPACT program itself is
none other than Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, who has spent a
great deal of time with the leaders of the COMPACT program and the
children themselves every year.
When I was elected to Congress in 2000, one of the first things I did
was join together with then-Congressman Tom Osborne, the famous coach
of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, to author the Mentoring for Success Act
which Coach Osborne and I were able to successfully include in No Child
Left Behind to provide substantial funding for mentoring programs. As
we move forward with the No Child Left Behind reauthorization, we will
work again to make sure that this language is included and stays in
existing law.
One of the big benefits of a mentoring program is in the area of
crime prevention. Roughly eight out of 10 inmates in Florida's jails
and prisons are high school dropouts. We see mentoring programs like
the COMPACT program in Orlando having a 95 percent success rate of
keeping kids in school. That's making a difference in these children's
lives and also helping us as taxpayers because we pay $20,000 a year
for people in State prisons and $25,000 a year for folks in Federal
prison.
President Bush himself has praised the importance of mentoring
programs. On December 19, 2007, President Bush proclaimed January 2008
as National Mentoring Month, giving public recognition to mentors who
serve as role models. Specifically the President stated, ``By sharing
their knowledge and experiences, mentors serve as examples for young
people and help teach them the skills they need to succeed in life.''
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. They may be established through community organizations or
corporate initiatives. I encourage people across the country to take
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 cosponsor House Resolution 908, recognizing
the important work of mentors and quality mentoring programs, and I
urge Members to support this resolution.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, at this time I am
pleased to yield such time as she may consume to my distinguished
colleague from California (Mrs. Davis).
Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong
support of House Resolution 908. I want to thank my colleague from
Minnesota for sponsoring this important resolution.
I want to share with you an inspirational story about a young man
from my district in San Diego. Eduardo Corona was only in the ninth
grade when he got into trouble with the law. Because of this mistake,
he faced up to 6 years in a juvenile correctional facility. Instead of
going to that facility, the judge met with him and spoke with him and
allowed Eduardo to participate in a mentoring program called Reality
Changers. I have had an opportunity to meet with the young people in
that program and I can tell you, they are inspirational and very
engaged in their lives and hoping to change the community someday.
Reality Changers brings at-risk youth in San Diego together with
their mentors, half of which are college students from the University
of California at San Diego, and for about 3 hours a week over a 4-year
time, these mentees study with their peer mentors, they take weekly
practice SAT tests, do homework together, listen to guest speakers and
take part in leadership development seminars.
In addition to that, Reality Changers also sends its participants,
all of which come from low-income families, to a summer program at UCSD
where they take college level courses and prepare for higher education.
With the help of his mentors in Reality Changers, Eduardo was able to
turn his life around. In just 30 days, and this is kind of remarkable
to me as I had a chance to work with some of the issues that he had to
deal with, Eduardo doubled his
[[Page H419]]
GPA to 3.8. He attended UCSD's summer program and won two awards in
mechanical engineering. And although he is just a sophomore in high
school, he has already earned college credit and is well on his way to
becoming the first member of his family to attend college.
In fact, I need to tell you that all of Reality Changers'
participants who have completed this 4-year program have gone on to a
4-year university. Not bad, considering all of these young people are
the first in their families to attend college. I think Eduardo's story
really tells us and proves that with the right role models and people
who truly care about them, our society's most challenged youth,
challenged in many different ways, can turn their lives around and
become leaders in our community.
But we know that Eduardo fortunately and even programs like Reality
Changers are not unique to San Diego. At this very moment, there are
countless mentors across the Nation who, through their hard work and
dedication, are making miracles happen every single day. And so that's
why I rise today to encourage my colleagues to support this resolution
that Congresswoman McCollum has brought forward and join all my
colleagues here, and I am pleased to see them, to support House
Resolution 908.
In addition to this resolution, I ask all my colleagues to join me in
support of increased funding for our Nation's mentoring programs,
because we know that with that help, we can replicate Eduardo's success
all around the country.
Mr. KELLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, we have no further speakers. If
I can inquire if the other side has any further speakers.
Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Just one remaining and that would
be me.
Mr. KELLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, I would urge all my colleagues,
then, to vote ``yes'' on H. Res. 908 and will yield back the balance of
my time.
Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, I just want to
mention in support of this bill that mentors are so important in
helping today's children grow up to live productive and fulfilling
lives. Unfortunately, there is still an acute need for more people to
become involved in this rewarding venture and I hope that today's
resolution convinces others to get involved as mentors.
Again, I want to express my support for the National Mentoring Month
resolution and recognize all the hard work that mentors put in on a
daily basis. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
Madam Speaker, I rise today to support the designation of January
2008 as ``National Mentoring Month'' and to applaud the efforts of
mentors who work tirelessly to support America's children.
I am pleased today to honor mentoring organizations across the
country, including those who serve the young people of my own
community, such as: Catholic Big Brothers/Big Sisters; The Watts-
Willowbrook Boys and Girls Club; Girlfriends, Inc. of Long Beach;
Helpline Youth Counseling, Inc.; and ELLAS, which stands for Embracing
Latina Leadership Alliances.
Mentors serve as advocates for children. They make sure that children
know that they matter.
Mentors actively support children's academic achievement, personal
and social growth, and career development.
Helping students achieve academically is a critical part of a
mentor's role. Through tutoring and encouragement, mentors can help
mentees appreciate the importance of staying in school and working hard
to achieve success.
Not only are young people who have been mentored less likely to fail
in school and get in trouble for delinquency, they are also more likely
to graduate and attend college. So mentoring doesn't just defend
against unwanted outcomes, it promotes good ones.
Mentoring isn't just for one kind of kid. It can benefit boys and
girls, urban and rural, white and Latino. If a young person is coping
with a divorce, being pressured to join a gang, or has just moved to a
new school, mentors can help. They can offer guidance while building
self-esteem and a sense of purpose.
Mentoring isn't just for one kind of mentor, either. Mentors can come
in all shapes and sizes. A mentor can be a lawyer, a mechanic, a
religious leader, or an older brother. Anyone with a little extra time
and a desire to help the next generation can become a mentor.
By exposing youth to positive life experiences, mentors help children
develop new skills and interests and get used to interacting with
adults.
By setting ambitious goals with their mentees, mentors can help
today's children become the leaders of the future. Truly, a mentor can
help a young person make her dreams a reality. Knowing all this, who
wouldn't want to be a mentor?
I hope I have succeeded in encouraging my colleagues to become
mentors or to help promote mentoring in their communities. Our children
can't raise themselves. I salute those who have served as mentors, and
those who will do so in the future.
Madam Speaker, once again I express my support for ``National
Mentoring Month'' and recognize all the hard work mentors put in on a
daily basis.
I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 908.
Mr. REICHERT. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to recognize January 2008
as Mentoring Month and I am proud to offer my support to H. Res. 908,
Supporting the goals and ideals of National Mentoring Month.
The history of mentorship nationwide and in my district is a rich
one. In Washington State alone, there are approximately 190
organizations specifically dedicated to placing young people into
formal mentoring relationships. These organizations spent approximately
$30 million in 2006 to forge and maintain those relationships--much of
that money coming from private citizens. Most important, all that work
has amounted to approximately 29,000 young people in Washington State
taking part in a positive mentoring relationship.
One organization in particular that has had a tremendous and lasting
impact on many disadvantaged youth in my district is Big Brothers Big
Sisters. In 2007, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound provided more
than 2,500 children with mentoring matches and has a vision to provide
successful mentoring relationships for all children who need and want
them, contributing to better schools, brighter futures, and stronger
communities for all.
Many of us know personally or have heard first-hand the heartbreaking
accounts of young people who veered off the path of success or, because
of a variety of circumstances, never even knew where to find that path.
Mentoring can be a promising approach to enriching the lives of
disadvantaged children and youth by discouraging juvenile delinquency,
improving school attendance and performance, and by providing positive
adult role models.
A young man from my district, Lorenzo, is a shining example of the
unique way in which mentoring enriches the lives of our youth. Lorenzo
moved to Washington State from West Samoa in 2006, and immediately
received mentoring help from Ken--an individual who has consistently
given of his time to mentor and nurture young people in my home
community. Ken helped this young man through the discomfort of
transitioning into a new environment, through the academic process, and
into positive relationships with his new peers. Upon graduating from
Kent-Meridian High School--my alma mater--Lorenzo gained admission to
Central Washington University and is a wonderful example of the power
of responsible and caring adult guidance.
Today, as Congress recognizes January 2008 as National Mentoring
Month, I encourage all citizens, businesses, public and private
agencies, religious and educational institutions to support mentoring
and give young people in our community the gift of time and friendship
through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound or other mentoring
programs throughout Washington State and our Nation.
Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 908,
which supports the goals and ideals of National Mentoring Month. I am
proud to be a cosponsor of this resolution that recognizes mentors
across the country who dedicate their time to support and guide the
next generation.
It is unfortunate that there are children in our country who do not
know their worth, and because of this, many end up failing in school or
falling into troubled lives. Mentors help these children get back on a
path to success by imparting the most important message--that they too
can succeed. Mentors have helped youth build up their self-esteem and
work on their academics and social skills. Many mentors also help
students reach their potential by helping them prepare for college and
career development.
Madam Speaker, I hope that by recognizing January as National
Mentoring Month, we can honor the positive effect that mentoring has
had on the youngest members of our society. I also hope that
highlighting the importance of these relationships encourages others to
seek out mentoring opportunities in their communities. This not only
helps our children, but our society as a whole.
Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, as co-chair of the
Congressional Mentoring Caucus I rise today in strong support of H.
Res. 908 supporting the goals and ideals of National Mentoring Month.
[[Page H420]]
Thank you Chairman Kildee and Chairman Miller for bringing this
legislation to the floor so quickly.
I would also like to thank the other chairs of the Congressional
Mentoring Caucus, Ms. Davis of California, Mr. Keller of Florida, and
Mr. Rogers of Michigan, who were original cosponsors of this
legislation.
The term ``mentor'' derives from a Greek mythology where Odysseus
asked his friend, Mentor, to teach and watch his son, Telemachus, as he
took off to fight the Trojan War.
This relationship was centered on advice, education and friendship.
Mentoring was a special, caring, and supportive relationship between
two people based on mutual trust and respect.
In modern context, mentoring relationships are between the mentor (an
adult) and a mentee (youth) that focuses on the needs of youth.
Caring adults--parents, teachers, counselors, mentors and religious
leaders are the most important influence in every child's life because
they provide the foundation of love, support, and guidance.
Millions of individuals across the country serve as mentors to young
men and women--encouraging and promoting the development of strong
characters and identities for youth who may not have a strong adult
presence in their lives.
A review of 10 mentoring programs indicates that one-on-one mentoring
significantly enhances positive youth development like better school
performance--youth develop better social skills, and more likely they
will go on to college or higher education--that's according to data
from a recent National Youth Conference held at the University of
Minnesota.
Minnesota is home to the Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota, which
formed in 1994 as a community initiative to promote mentoring for
Minnesota youth, particularly those who are at risk and may lack
positive role models in their lives.
There are over 350 mentoring programs in Minnesota that connect youth
with positive role models.
One valuable mentoring program is Big Brothers Big Sisters. In the
St. Paul/Minneapolis region alone, more than 3,700 children benefit
from this mentoring program with the time and energy of more than 3,200
volunteers.
The Youth Initiative Mentoring Academies (YIMA) is another successful
program in Minnesota. YIMA utilizes a mentoring model through aviation
education. Through this program, at risk youth receive hands-on
learning experiences about career opportunities, build confidence and
self-esteem, and develop valuable leadership skills.
Mentoring is also important to our global competitiveness. In my
district, Century College offers a pre-engineering program that
includes the Century College Robot Show. The college invites practicing
engineers to judge the show, providing the opportunity for mentorship
of the pre-engineering students. Century College also invites high
schools students to attend the show so they are able to see the
opportunities available through the study of engineering but also to
introduce them to student and professionals who can help steer
interested students in the right direction.
I would like to take this time to thank Congressional staff members,
including my staff, who take time to mentor youth in programs such as
Everybody Wins, Horton's Kids, and Calvary homeless shelter.
We all need to be part of the process in shaping young people's lives
so that they can achieve their fullest potential.
Young people need caring adults to make the connection, to provide
guidance, caring and emotional support--all these are contributing to
making positive impact on their lives--so that young can become
responsible and productive citizens.
I encourage all of my colleagues to support this resolution and to
look for opportunities to be a mentor themselves.
Ms. Linda T. Sanchez of California. Madam Speaker, I yield back the
balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Hirono). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Linda T. Sanchez) that
the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 908.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________