[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 19]
[House]
[Pages 26878-26879]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



            A.C. GREEN IS A TRUE ROLE MODEL FOR OUR CHILDREN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jones) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, one night last week, I 
watched Hannity & Colmes on the Fox News Channel. The show featured two 
professional athletes and a discussion on whether sports figures should 
be role models.
  The men and women our children look to for guidance is an issue I 
have taken a great deal of interest in, especially in the last few 
years. In fact, I have come to the House floor a number of times to 
discuss the lack of morality within our society and its potential 
impact on our Nation's future.
  Too many times the leaders and public figures our children look to 
for guidance fall short in their responsibility. Thank goodness for men 
and women at the local level who work to teach our youth the value that 
they need to succeed in life. They are the parents, the little league 
coaches, Boy Scout and Girl Scout leaders, and volunteers across this 
country. These individuals work directly with our children to encourage 
character and integrity in their lives and the lives of our children.
  As Oliver Wendell Holmes once said, ``The noblest services come from 
the nameless hands, and the best servant does his work unseen.''
  Mr. Speaker, I agree with this statement. In fact, I wish that more 
of our children could see their parents and community leaders as the 
heroes they truly are. Too often the athletes and actors our children 
look up to fail our children. They may have money or fame, but their 
own behavior often lacks the sense of responsibility our children must 
see in order to succeed in life.
  Thank goodness there are exceptions. As I watch Hannity & Colmes, I 
was most impressed to see one fine athlete who takes his position as a 
role model very seriously. In fact, he uses his success and popularity 
to help children gain the skills they need to succeed.
  A.C. Green is a forward with the Los Angeles Lakers. He began his 
professional basketball career in 1985 after

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graduating from college. He has a record-setting career, playing for 
such teams as the Phoenix Suns, the Dallas Mavericks, and the L.A. 
Lakers, that has earned him recognition among sports fans and respect 
among his colleagues.
  While A.C. Green is best known for his talents on the court, it is 
his dedication to our Nation's children that makes him a role model we 
can all respect.
  In 1989, A.C. Green created a youth foundation in his name to help 
our children realize their potential and work to achieve their goals. 
In fact, the foundation's mission statement reads, ``Our goal is to 
serve both the youth and the communities in which they live by 
providing information about sexual abstinence and social issues that 
concern our young people and educating them to make responsible choices 
to prepare them for their future.''
  The A.C. Green Youth Foundation believes that young people must 
develop morally, ethically, educationally, physically, and mentally to 
fulfill their dreams and goals in life.
  Mr. Speaker, as part of his program for youth, A.C. Green created a 
leadership camp that over 100 boys and girls take part in each year. 
The summer basketball camp focuses on academics, career discovery, and 
offers self-esteem counseling. It reaches out to those children who 
have been abused or maybe economically disadvantaged and encourages 
leadership and teamwork. Perhaps most important, A.C. Green takes the 
time to personally supervise the camp and interact with the children.
  In addition, his foundation has also created abstinence curriculum 
for today's youth called ``I've Got the Power.'' The program teaches 
students to recognize their self worth, realize boundaries, and learn 
to make responsible decisions. These are the values we must work to 
encourage in the lives of our children.
  Mr. Speaker, A.C. Green's commitment to his community is deserving of 
our recognition. As a basketball player and as a community servant, 
A.C. Green is a true role model.
  Having found success at a young age, he is now working to help those 
less fortunate realize their own dreams and work to their fullest 
potential. His efforts and those like his should be honored and 
encouraged.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank A.C. Green and every one of our Nation's 
role models who make a difference in the lives of our Nation's 
children, for the children are America's future.
  I thank A.C. Green for helping to ensure a strong America tomorrow 
and in the future.

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