[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 26 (Monday, February 9, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E222-E223]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      INTRODUCTION OF THE MENTORING AMERICA'S CHILDREN ACT OF 2009

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                          HON. SUSAN A. DAVIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 9, 2009

  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce 
strengthening the link between high-quality mentoring and public 
education in the United States.
  The Mentoring America's Children Act of 2009 will improve upon the 
current efforts to match high-quality and responsible mentors with 
children in need of a strong role model.
  In 2002, the U.S. Department of Education began granting funding 
directly to community organizations and schools to establish or expand 
mentoring opportunities. Since then, we have seen a 20-percent increase 
in the number of children benefiting from a mentor.
  The Mentoring America's Children Act sets out to expand and build 
upon this success. By increasing the availability and quality of the 
grants available through the Department of Education, school-based 
mentoring programs will reach more children in need while enhancing 
quality.
  The bill will also tie mentoring programs' funding more closely with 
the important role mentors can play in improving a young person's 
academic standing and the learning environment. The legislation would 
broaden the reach of mentoring to include a number of specific 
populations of young people who could benefit from a strong role model.
  Finally, the legislation also authorizes the Department of Education 
to conduct high-quality research into successful school-based mentoring 
programs. Through this research, plus improved data collection and 
tracking, we will better understand the impact of mentoring and can 
continue to refine program practices to best meet the needs of 
children.
  Mentoring is a critical element in a child's social, cognitive and 
emotional development. When it comes to education, a healthy 
relationship with a mentor plays a key role in improving the learning 
environment for a young person. Students with a responsible mentor have 
better attendance and are more connected to their school, schoolwork, 
and teachers. They perform better in school and are more likely to 
graduate and go on to higher education.
  It is an honor to introduce this legislation with a number of my 
colleagues on the House Mentoring Caucus and others dedicated to the 
noble cause of mentoring. It was also an honor to work directly with 
the MENTOR/National Mentoring Partnership, Big Brothers Big Sisters of 
America and the National Collaboration for Youth to develop this 
legislation.
  Madam Speaker, I urge consideration of this legislation.

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