[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 92 (Thursday, May 26, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S2748]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        RECOGNIZING DADS ON DUTY

 Mr. CASSIDY. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize a group 
of committed Louisiana fathers making a difference in their community 
and the lives of their children.
  Violence within the halls of Southwood High School in Shreveport 
reached a concerning peak in the fall of 2021, when 23 students were 
arrested in just 3 days.
  Mr. Michael LaFitte gathered 40 fellow concerned fathers, including 
David Telsee, III, Michael Morgan, Zachery Johnson, and Kenneth Henry, 
Jr., and established a wholesome presence in the halls of Southwood 
High. They were able to quell conflict and violence. They are promoting 
peace, order, and dropping dad jokes with a profound impact. They have 
prevented fights and arrests since forming their group, Dads on Duty. 
By fostering a safer environment in Southwood High, Dads on Duty has 
allowed the youth to focus on learning and growing.
  Dads on Duty is demonstrating a strategy they believe can benefit 
students in other schools. They have plans to introduce this program of 
engaged parents in each Caddo Parish school campus moving forward.
  Dads on Duty has garnered attention at the city, parish, State, and 
national levels--and rightfully so. I applaud their efforts and look 
forward to seeing how they can continue to better our 
communities.

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