[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 89 (Tuesday, June 15, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H4454-H4456]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1400
RECOGNIZING CONTRIBUTIONS OF FATHERS
Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 1389) 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. 1389
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, moral, 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 mental, moral, social, academic, emotional, physical,
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 gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Woolsey) and the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Petri)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.
General Leave
Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which
Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on H. Res.
1389 into the Record.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from California?
There was no objection.
Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1389, to
honor and celebrate Father's Day this Sunday and to recognize the
involvement of our Nation's fathers in their children's lives. This
resolution recognizes the special bond between father and child by
celebrating the significant and positive impacts a present, supportive,
and involved father has on their child and the entire family.
Every year on the third Sunday in June, families across the country
take time out to celebrate the dad in the family. New fathers and
experienced fathers alike are honored for the hard work and deep love
it takes to be a supportive father. Whether it be through a home-cooked
meal, a card, or even a simple phone call, we stop once a year to thank
fathers for everything they do in our lives.
Unfortunately, 25 million children in America today are living apart
from their biological fathers. This means that one out of every three
children grow up without their biological father present in their
lives.
Fathers play a significant and influential role in their child's
development. When supportive fathers are involved in their children's
lives, their children are more likely to enjoy learning, earn better
grades, and participate in extracurricular activities. We celebrate the
fathers who are positive role models for their children.
By commemorating the hard work and dedication of fathers on Father's
Day, we encourage responsible fatherhood and happy, successful, and
stronger families and communities.
With that, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise in support of the resolution before us, House Resolution 1389,
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, and really on every day.
Children with involved, caring fathers have improved educational
outcomes compared with children whose fathers are absent. A number of
studies suggest that fathers who are involved, nurturing, and playful
with their infants have children with higher IQs, as well as better
linguistic and cognitive capacities. Toddlers with involved fathers go
on to start school with higher levels of academic readiness. They are
more patient and can handle the stresses and frustrations associated
with schooling more readily than children with less involved fathers.
The influence of a father's involvement on academic achievement
extends into adolescence and young adulthood. For instance, a U.S.
Department of Education study found that highly involved biological
fathers had children who were 43 percent more likely than other
children to earn mostly As and 33 percent less likely than other
children to repeat a grade.
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 children into the men and women they will become. They
instill important values and prepare their children for the challenges
and opportunities ahead by demonstrating true leadership.
On Father's Day and every day, we honor our fathers and celebrate the
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special bond between a father and a child. I rise today in support of
this resolution and ask my colleagues to do the same.
I yield such time as he may consume to my colleague from east
Tennessee (Mr. Duncan).
Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Wisconsin for
yielding me this time.
I come in support of this resolution because of a very meaningful
time that I spent as a judge in Tennessee. I spent 7 and a half years
as a criminal court judge before coming to Congress, trying the felony
criminal cases, the most serious cases. I've never forgotten that the
first day I was a judge, Gary Tullock, the chief probation counselor
for 16 counties in east Tennessee, told me that 98 percent of the
defendants in felony cases came from what he referred to as broken
homes. He was not exactly right on that. It was not quite 98 percent,
but it was well over 90 percent that came from father-absent
households, and that's the key.
I went through over 10,000 cases in the time that I was judge because
97 or 98 percent of the people in felony cases in criminal court plead
guilty and then apply for probation, and I would get 8- or 10- or 12-
page reports into their family and work background and so forth. And
every day for 7 and a half years, I would read, Defendant's father left
home when defendant was 2 and never returned; defendant's father left
home to get a pack of cigarettes and never came back. When you read
that thousands of times over several years, it really makes an
impression.
I know that many wonderful and many outstanding people have come from
broken homes and even from father-absent households, but it's an
amazing statistic that the gentlewoman from California gave a few
minutes ago when she said that one out of every three children in
America are living apart from their biological fathers now.
We need to get a message across some way, especially to the young men
of this country, that marriage is very, very important and that the
role of fatherhood is very, very important and that it is harmful to a
great many young people when a father leaves and removes himself from
the raising of a child. A child is really blessed to have two loving
parents, and certainly we all know and appreciate the very, very
important role of mothers, but the role of fathers is important as well
and not just for young men.
I have read in the past that many prostitutes and many women who get
in trouble have had abusive or very negative or bad relationships with
their fathers. So it's important to young girls as well, but it is
especially important to young boys.
The root of the crime problem in this country is father-absent
households. Drugs and alcohol are involved in most crimes, but they are
secondary to the problem of father-absent households. Where fathers
have left the lives, we need to encourage mothers to get boys into Boy
Scouts or find other good male role models within the family or within
the neighborhood, and we need to encourage more men to teach in
elementary schools and lead Boy Scout troops and do things like that
because, unfortunately, millions of young boys are growing up without a
good male role model in their lives.
I remember several years ago driving to the airport one Friday
afternoon after we had finished our session, and there had been a
school shooting out in I think Oregon. They had the national head of
the YMCA on the national CBS news, and he said children are being
neglected in this country like never before. I hope that's not true,
but that is what he said. And it is a growing problem, and this
resolution I hope will call attention to the great importance of
fathers in the lives of their children, especially as we approach
Father's Day.
Ms. WOOLSEY. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. PETRI. I yield such time as he may consume to my colleague from
Pennsylvania, Joe Pitts.
Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1389, and I
commend my colleague Mr. McIntyre for sponsoring this resolution.
We often hear about deadbeat and delinquent dads. So it's easy to
forget that millions of dads across America are striving to be good
husbands and positive role models for their kids. It is important for
us to recognize those dads and the tremendous importance of promoting
fatherhood in America.
There's no denying the invaluable role that a father plays in a
child's life. We all know that children with involved and loving
fathers have a significant advantage. They tend to perform better in
school, to have a healthy self-esteem, to exhibit positive social
behavior, and avoid drug use and other criminal activity. But this kind
of statistical research really just affirms what we already know to be
true: Fatherhood is important. A loving father plays an integral role
in the family, and healthy families are the foundation for a healthy
society.
This is not a partisan issue, and I'm glad that Republicans and
Democrats are joining together on this bipartisan effort to honor
responsible fatherhood. Small communities across our country rely on
the work of families to keep our neighborhoods strong. Churches,
community service clubs, and school boards should remember how critical
fathers are in creating stable families and, therefore, stable
communities.
I urge my colleagues to recognize the importance of fatherhood and to
support this resolution, H. Res. 1389, today.
Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I urge support for the resolution before us,
have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my
time.
Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I personally have the great privilege to
have raised two sons, Ed Critchett and Michael Woolsey, and I have a
son-in-law, Mark Pauline, who are the most wonderful fathers on this
earth. I am so proud of them, and I just thought I'd take this moment
right now to be able to express that.
Their children, my grandchildren, Teddy and Julia, Jake-Eddie, Carlo
and Luca are great kids, but they are all the better because they have
such great dads.
So, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 1389,
honoring and celebrating Father's Day and recognizing the involvement
of our Nation's fathers in their children's lives.
With that, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from
North Carolina (Mr. McIntyre).
(Mr. McINTYRE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 1389,
a resolution that recognizes the immeasurable contributions of fathers
in the healthy development of children, supports responsible
fatherhood, and encourages greater involvement of fathers in the lives
of their children, especially with the celebration of Father's Day
coming up this weekend.
On June 20, our Nation will celebrate the special place that fathers
have in our country. From helping with homework to playing ball to
reading a book to offering advice and support or to just listening and
spending time with children, each and every day fathers of all ages
contribute to the mental, moral, spiritual, and physical development of
children, teenagers and, yes, adults.
According to the National Fatherhood Initiative, children with
involved, loving fathers are significantly more likely to do well in
school, have a healthy self-esteem, exhibit empathy and good behavior,
and avoid high-risk activities, such as drug use and even criminal
activity.
H. Res. 1389 recognizes the commitment of fathers and the wonderful
work that both parents do on behalf of their kids, and I encourage my
colleagues to join us as we all recommit ourselves to being the best
fathers that we can be and honoring our fathers and grandfathers
everywhere.
In conclusion, I would like to publicly thank my own father, Dr.
Douglas C. McIntyre, for the great example he has been to me throughout
my life and for the dedication and support he has shown in my every
endeavor. Indeed, may we all intend and exemplify the type of example
that we would want our own children to one day exhibit when they may
have that opportunity to be a father.
Mr. Speaker, I ask for a ``yes'' vote on this important bill.
Mr. TIAHRT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my support for H. Res.
1389, and for fathers across the Nation. Nearly 50 years ago, Daniel
Patrick Moynihan warned that, ``. . . A community that allows a large
number of
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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 community asks for and gets
chaos.'' Moynihan's words hold a prophetic ring as we look at society
today.
Fathers play a critical role in the development of their children,
positively influencing everything from academic performance to mental
and physical health. Children who do not live with both parents are
more likely to repeat a grade, have lower grades, be diagnosed with a
mental illness, experience drug or alcohol abuse problems, and commit
violent crimes.
I do not mean to imply that those who grow up without both parents
are doomed to failure, nor am I suggesting that children from two-
parent homes are guaranteed success. But the presence of fathers in the
lives of their children does have benefits that cannot be denied. This
Congress, and America as a whole, are right to take time to honor the
men who took responsibility for their actions, who invest in the lives
of their children, who sacrifice their own wants and desires for the
sake of future generations. So I urge my colleagues to join me in
supporting H. Res. 1389 as it is considered today.
I would also like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation
for the sacrifices made by my own father, Wilbur Tiahrt. His
sacrificial leadership, during his service in the Army Air Corps during
World War II, and as a father and husband has provided a tremendous
example for me and my siblings. I am grateful for the blessing that he
has been to me and my family, and each Father's Day, I am reminded of
how fortunate I am to still have him with me.
Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support
of H. Res. 1389, ``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.''
This resolution commends the millions of fathers who serve as
wonderful, caring parents for their children. It simultaneously calls
on fathers across the United States (1) reconnect and rededicate
themselves to their children's lives; and (2) express their love and
support for their children, not only on Father's Day, but everyday.
Fathers all over the United States are involved in their children's
lives in multitude ways that go beyond the traditional roles of
economic provider. Fathers are also involved by having direct contact
with their children, engagement; making themselves available to their
children even when they are not in physical contact, accessibility; and
taking responsibility for their children's care and welfare, again
regardless of physical proximity, responsibility. For this reason and
many others, I salute the millions of fathers who have embraced the
attributes of fatherhood.
However, this piece of legislation also recognizes the need for
fathers to take there place in their children's lives and become more
involved. The statistics on children without an active father in their
lives are alarming:
63 percent of youth suicides are from fatherless homes (U.S.
Department Of Health/Census)--5 times the average
90 percent of all homeless and runaway children are from fatherless
homes--32 times the average
85 percent of all children who show behavior disorders come from
fatherless homes--20 times the average. (Center for Disease Control)
80 percent of rapists with anger problems come from fatherless
homes--14 times the average. (Justice & Behavior, Vol 14, p. 403-26)
71 percent of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes--9
times the average. (National Principals Association Report)
75 percent of all adolescent patients in chemical abuse centers come
from fatherless homes--10 times the average. (Rainbows for All God's
Children)
70 percent of youths in State-operated institutions come from
fatherless homes--9 times the average. (U.S. Department of Justice,
Sept. 1988)
85 percent of all youths in prison come from fatherless homes--20
times the average. (Fulton Co. Georgia, Texas Department of Correction)
Clearly, fathers represent a lot more than just a paycheck to a
child; they represent safety, protection, guidance, friendship, and
someone to look up to. This resolution urges men to understand the
level of responsibility fathering a child requires, especially in the
encouragement of the mental, moral, social, academic, emotional,
physical, and spiritual development of children.
In conclusion, not only is this issue imperative to the development
of the future of America's youth, but also to the prosperity of the
country as a whole. I am diligently seeking ways to bring families back
together and this resolution can be the catalyze to promote such unity;
by promoting fathers who already exemplify these qualities.
I must pay tribute to my own father Ezra C. Jackson. I thank him for
being a father to my brother Michael and me. For also being a
grandfather to our children. He was God-fearing, funny and a great
mentor to young men who were not his children. Thank you Dad for being
in my life, although you are no longer with us--your guidance will
always be appreciated.
Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I would just like to congratulate
Congressman McIntyre as the author of this piece of legislation.
With that, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey) that the House suspend the
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1389.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Ms. WOOLSEY. 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 motion will be
postponed.
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