[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 151 (Thursday, December 11, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S6631]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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  SENATE RESOLUTION 599--RECOGNIZING THE 100-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF BIG 
             BROTHERS BIG SISTERS SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA

  Mr. TOOMEY (for himself and Mr. Casey) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 599

       Whereas Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania 
     is a nonprofit organization that provides children facing 
     adversity with strong, enduring, and professionally supported 
     one-to-one mentor relationships;
       Whereas Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania 
     serves children who are--
       (1) living in areas with a high poverty rate, areas with a 
     high incidence of juvenile arrests, or single-parent 
     households;
       (2) impacted by homelessness or familial incarceration; or
       (3) attending a struggling school;

       Whereas mentors serving as advisors, role models, or 
     friends can diminish risk factors, enhance protective 
     factors, and make a lasting impact on the lives of children;
       Whereas Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania 
     supports and enriches the lives of children and promotes and 
     reinforces positive activities, behaviors, and attitudes by 
     working with donors, partners, family members, volunteers, 
     and advocates;
       Whereas the Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern 
     Pennsylvania mentor program is proven to help at-risk 
     children reach their potential;
       Whereas the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence 
     at the University of Colorado classifies the Big Brothers Big 
     Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania mentor program as a 
     ``blueprint'' model intervention program for effectively 
     reducing adolescent violent crime, aggression, delinquency, 
     and substance abuse;
       Whereas ``blueprint'' programs have the highest standards 
     and meet the most rigorous tests of effectiveness and 
     replicability in the field of helping at-risk children;
       Whereas children who participate in the Big Brothers Big 
     Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania mentor program perform 
     better in school and develop better relationships with their 
     families and peers;
       Whereas Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania 
     makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers, 
     known as ``Bigs'', and at-risk children, known as 
     ``Littles'', throughout Chester County, Delaware County, 
     Montgomery County, and Philadelphia County;
       Whereas Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania 
     supports nearly 3,000 mentor matches each year;
       Whereas an estimated 250,000 underserved children in 
     southeastern Pennsylvania remain at risk for academic 
     failure; and
       Whereas Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania 
     is committed to bringing life-changing work to the children 
     in the region who need it the most: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate recognizes the 100-year 
     anniversary of Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern 
     Pennsylvania.

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