[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 96 (Wednesday, June 11, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1207-E1208]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        FATHER'S DAY RESOLUTION

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. TODD TIAHRT

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 9, 2008

  Mr. TIAHRT. Mr Speaker, I rise today to offer my strong support to H. 
Res. 1243, which recognizes the importance of fathers in American 
society.
  In 1965, while reporting to the Johnson administration on the 
problems of under-class America, Daniel Patrick Moynihan cut to the 
root of many of the problems we in Congress work so hard to address. 
His report stated that, ``. . . A community that allows a large number 
of young men to grow up in broken families . . . never acquiring any 
stable relationship to male authority, never acquiring any rational 
expectations about the future--that

[[Page E1208]]

community asks for and gets chaos.'' Tragically, since the Moynihan 
Report was issued, the number of fatherless homes has more than 
tripled. Is it any wonder, then, that our society has the problems that 
it does?
  Several studies conducted in recent years emphasize the importance of 
fathers in the well-being of their children. Children living without 
their fathers are 5 times more likely to live in poverty as those who 
live with both parents. Not living with both parents quadruples the 
risk of having an affective disorder, such as depression, and are 
nearly twice as likely to be diagnosed with breathing problems such as 
asthma. Cigarette, alcohol, and drug use, and violent crime rates are 
all significantly lower for children that come from two parent 
households. Children with fathers are half as likely to drop out of 
school, half as likely to repeat a grade, and much more likely to get 
A's, enjoy school, and participate in extracurricular activities. And 
where fathers were present, young men were more likely to grow up to 
become good fathers themselves.
  It would be naive for me to suggest that the simple presence of a 
father guarantees the success of their children and a life without 
problems. But the evidence is overwhelming that fathers do play a vital 
role in the growth and development of their children. So, Mr. Speaker, 
as we prepare to celebrate Fathers' Day this weekend, I urge my 
colleagues to join me in voting for this resolution that expresses our 
appreciation for the hard work that fathers do in providing for their 
families, for modeling good relationships, and for raising their 
children to be responsible citizens of this great country.
  Lastly, Mr. Speaker, I would like to take just a moment to honor my 
own father, Wilbur Tiahrt. Truly a member of the Greatest Generation, 
he raised me and my siblings to be people of integrity, to value our 
families, and to appreciate and cherish the freedoms we have in America 
today. Seven years ago, my father underwent open heart surgery. That 
experience has served as a very personal reminder to how short life is, 
and each Fathers' Day I am especially grateful for the time that I have 
with my father.

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