[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 116 (Tuesday, July 15, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S6718]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING THE PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

 Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, I seek recognition today to 
express my gratitude to the Philadelphia Phillies for their 
extraordinary effort during a recent mentoring event at PNC Park in 
Philadelphia on June 21, 2008. This particular event was the most 
recent in a series of events that have been an integral part of a youth 
outreach program.
  Since my days as district attorney in Philadelphia, I have devoted a 
great deal of time and attention to developing ways to reduce violent 
crime. I believe one of the best ways to reduce the rate of youth crime 
and violence is to develop mentoring programs with the explicit goal of 
imbuing the youth of Pennsylvania with ideals such as hard work and 
civic responsibility. With this goal in mind, I have worked diligently 
to secure funding for mentoring style programs and have subsequently 
held events focusing on mentoring and the issues of youth crime and 
violence throughout Pennsylvania including Philadelphia, Reading, 
Lancaster, York, Pittsburgh, and Allentown.
  The mentoring events in which I have participated are intended to 
provide the young people of Pennsylvania with a day all their own and, 
simultaneously, highlight how fun and special mentoring relationships 
can be for everyone involved. It is my belief that when these young 
people see that there are positive role models readily available in 
their community to whom they can turn when searching for someone to 
emulate, the chance of perpetuating violent patterns of behavior will 
markedly decline. Specifically, youth involved in a formal mentoring 
program are 46 percent less likely to start using drugs and alcohol and 
33 percent less likely to hit another person. Participants also 
attended school more regularly and completed their school work more 
consistently and on time. Finally, the children demonstrated improved 
peer and family relationships as a result of their involvement in 
mentoring. These indicators make me hopeful that wide-scale mentoring 
could have a tremendous impact in this city.
  The day with the Philadelphia Phillies was no exception. Between the 
planning efforts and resources of the Phillies organization and the 
recommendations of my exceptional staff, the event turned out to be 
memorable for all those who attended. The accommodations the Phillies 
afforded the kids were exceptional. They went so far as to honor one 
young person from their own mentoring program and me, and we had the 
opportunity to get involved in the ``First Ball'' ceremony. I am sure 
this is a memory that this young man will carry with him for the rest 
of his life. I know it is one I will always reflect upon fondly.
  In the wake of the numerous scandals plaguing professional athletics, 
the event on June 21, 2008, reminded all those in attendance how 
powerful professional athletes can be in serving as positive role 
models for the children of our communities. There is no doubt that the 
young people of the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will continue to 
look toward players such as Chase Utley, Tom Gordon, Jimmie Rollins, 
Pat Burrell, and others in the future when determining who they should 
emulate.
  What I feel is most important to take away from this event is how 
significantly it reflects the desire of the entire Philadelphia 
community to become involved in programs that have the potential to 
effect real change in the lives of our youth. When a group as notable 
as the Philadelphia Phillies sets aside time and resources to enhance 
the lives of our youth, it establishes a powerful standard for 
involvement for the rest of the community. For this program to be a 
success, it is essential to engage groups of caring professionals. The 
Phillies, much to my pleasure, have done just that.
  I look forward to working further into the future with this great 
organization and the others that I hope will follow their lead.

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