[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 105 (Thursday, June 15, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S2128]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              FATHER'S DAY

  Mr. SCHMITT. Mr. President, Father's Day is coming up. Father's Day 
is this Sunday.
  As a dad--and, actually, my two daughters are coming into the 
Galleries right now--it is a time for reflection and for gratitude, 
quite frankly.
  I delivered my maiden speech earlier this week, on Tuesday, and a big 
part of that was of the influence that my father had on my life. 
Growing up in a working-class neighborhood and seeing him work 7 days a 
week on the 12 midnight shift and going to events and being a great 
role model for me is something that I am eternally grateful for.
  I have had a lot of different positions or jobs or titles, but the 
most important one that I will ever have is being a father to my son 
Stephen and to my two daughters, Sophia and Olivia.
  I also mentioned in that maiden speech the inspiration that my son 
gave me to run for office. Stephen was born with a rare genetic 
condition and suffers from epilepsy. He is nonverbal. He gave me and 
has given me, every day, a perspective on what is really important and 
what my focus is.
  I know, for a lot of dads out there, being a father keeps them 
grounded. It is the most important thing that they will ever do. We all 
have important business to do even in this place, but being a dad is 
paramount.
  And I have got my two daughters. I talk about Stephen a lot because 
Stephen, again, was my inspiration. He has profound medical challenges 
that my wife and I--and Jaime is here as well--deal with every day. If 
Stephen were here, he would be giving us big hugs. He is a great kid. 
My two daughters, in their own rights, are incredible people. Sophia is 
on her journey and is a great kid, a great swimmer. I am just blessed 
to be her dad. Then Olivia was asking thoughtful questions on the way 
here. So we know the statistics are just simply undeniable, and that is 
certainly my story.
  But I know that, across the board, in a larger sense, the litany of 
research related to the positive outcomes that fathers have when they 
are involved with their children are those of better school readiness 
and performance, higher self-esteem, greater social awareness. 
Increased father engagement can play an important role in improving 
maternal healthcare, in addressing maternal mortality and morbidity in 
the United States, and in bettering the development of the child and 
the long-term growth of the child.
  It was an honor to sponsor this resolution with the Senator from 
Georgia, my friend, as we shared what we thought was really important 
to come before this Chamber in advance of Father's Day.
  This resolution recognizes what we already know--that the presence of 
a strong father contributes to a child's life in insurmountable ways. 
It is hard to calculate what those are. We have some statistics, but we 
all know that intuitively, and it strengthens our society as a whole. 
It is important that we recognize that and celebrate that on this 
Father's Day.
  So, to all of the dads out there, have a great Father's Day. I don't 
know what is on your wish list, but I hope you enjoy it and that we all 
have a greater sense of gratitude for the most important job we will 
ever have in our lives.
  I yield the floor.

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