[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 14]
[House]
[Pages 19268-19270]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL COMMUNITY ROLE MODELS WEEK

  Mr. DAN MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 409) supporting 
the goals and ideals of National Community Role Models Week, and for 
other purposes.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 409

       Whereas individuals who are motivated every day by 
     traditional American values such as selflessness, compassion, 
     dedication, courage, and integrity have a positive effect on 
     society by encouraging others to act in a similar manner;
       Whereas individuals in local communities located throughout 
     the United States embody these values in their daily work, 
     communities, and homes;
       Whereas children and adults would benefit from learning 
     about individuals in their community who embody these values 
     and about what motivates them;
       Whereas because children learn and act by examples they 
     experience on a daily basis, they need role models from their 
     local community with whom they can realistically relate;
       Whereas inspiring stories about an individual that a child 
     knows or might meet in the community can make a difference in 
     that child's decisions and life;
       Whereas the Recognizing Achievement--Rewarding Excellence 
     Foundation (R.A.R.E. Foundation) based in Troy, Michigan, has 
     established a program to recognize exceptional people who 
     work in the community and further educate children in the 
     community about such people;
       Whereas the R.A.R.E. Foundation is willing to provide 
     guidance to any community interested in starting such a 
     program; and
       Whereas National Community Role Models Week is a fitting 
     tribute to the many individuals who displayed motivation, 
     selflessness, compassion, dedication, courage, and integrity 
     during the aftermath of the terrorist attacks against the 
     United States which occurred on September 11, 2001: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Community 
     Role Models Week;
       (2) commends the Recognizing Achievement--Rewarding 
     Excellence Foundation based in Troy, Michigan, for 
     establishing a program to recognize exceptional people who 
     work in the community and further educate children in the 
     community about such people; and
       (3) encourages the establishment of similar programs in 
     communities throughout the United States.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Dan Miller) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Dan Miller).


                             General Leave

  Mr. DAN MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and 
extend their remarks on House Concurrent Resolution 409.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DAN MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker I am pleased to have the House consider House Concurrent 
Resolution 409. I commend the distinguished gentleman from Michigan 
(Mr. Knollenberg) for introducing this measure and working so hard to 
bring it to the floor.
  I am a co-sponsor of this important resolution that expresses the 
support of the House of Representatives for the goals and ideals of the 
National Community Role Models Week. This resolution encourages 
communities to adopt programs that recognize local heroes and educate 
children about them.
  In addition, this resolution recognizes an organization of 
southeastern Michigan that has established a program to recognize 
outstanding community residents and teach children about work ethic 
values and accomplishments. Since 1998 the Recognizing Achievement-
Rewarding Excellence, or RARE, Foundation of Troy, Michigan, has 
identified hundreds of unsung heroes in the Detroit Metropolitan area. 
Some award winners include an entrepreneur who built a successful 
company that teaches moderately handicapped people to live on their 
own, a receptionist who created a care program for the spouses of 
terminally ill employees, and a principal of an elementary school 
located in a poverty-stricken and drug-impacted neighborhood who led 
the school to achieve the national Blue Ribbon award.
  Children need role models today more than ever. A role model from a 
child's family or community can make a great difference in a child's 
life. Although we often hear inspiring stories about famous 
individuals, we seldom publicly recognize exceptional people in our 
communities who can better relate to kids. There are many working 
individuals in our local communities

[[Page 19269]]

who are motivated every day by values such as selflessness, compassion, 
dedication, courage, and integrity. Although these people could be a 
wonderful role model for children in their communities, their efforts 
are seldom publicly recognized; and as a result, people in the 
community cannot benefit from not knowing about them. Since children 
learn by examples they experience on a daily basis, they need role 
models from their local community.
  More than rock stars or sports figures, these individuals can better 
inspire children to think about their personal heroes and reflect upon 
their dreams and aspirations. It is essential that we validate and 
promote at a local level the exceptional values possessed by many 
individuals within our communities. Establishing an annual week for 
identifying role models in our local communities would remind us how 
each individual, no matter his or her profession, plays a vital role in 
the greatness of this Nation. I commend the RARE Foundation for 
establishing a program to recognize community role models, and I 
encourage other communities to establish similar programs. I ask my 
colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with the gentleman from Florida 
(Mr. Dan Miller) in considering Con. Res. 409, supporting the goals and 
ideals of National Community Role Models Week, and for other purposes.
  Mr. Speaker, H. Con. Res. 409 supports the goals of National 
Community Role Models Week and the Recognizing Achievement-Rewarding 
Excellence Foundation, the RARE Foundation.
  While today's athletes and entertainers have inspiring stories of 
perseverance, endurance, and dedication and are indeed noteworthy 
individuals, they are often far removed from the lives that young 
people live. However, parents, teachers, nurses, crossing guards, the 
so-called working stiff, ordinary everyday people are the people that 
interact and touch the lives of young people on a daily basis. People 
that go to work every day to earn an honest living that provide a 
service and do so in a professional manner, these are the individuals 
that often are overlooked, but fortunately not during National 
Community Role Models Week. These individuals are motivated every day 
by traditional American values such as selflessness, compassion, 
dedication, courage, and integrity. They embody these values in their 
daily work, in their communities, and in their homes.
  Not only should these individuals, the neighbor, dentist, baker, 
shopkeeper, Sunday school teacher, scout leader, the lady down the 
block who teaches children, young girls how to bake, how to cook, how 
to sew, all of these individuals should be honored during National 
Community Role Models week but every day they touch the lives of 
children in a very positive and enduring way. The ``working stiff'' as 
they are often called, the average person, is indeed a national 
treasure and should be treated as such. There are thousands and 
thousands of individuals throughout our country who give of themselves 
on a daily basis in such a way as to empower, enlighten and enrich the 
lives of others and especially of children. And when they do so, we 
must recognize that they are role models and should be treated as such. 
So I am pleased to join in support of this resolution and urge its 
passage.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAN MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  I urge adoption of House Concurrent Resolution 409. This legislation 
supports the goals and ideals of the National Community Role Models 
Week. It also commends those unsung heroes, community role models who 
make a difference in the lives of children and inspire all of us. I 
thank the RARE Foundation of Troy, Michigan, for recognizing community 
role models.
  Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Speaker, more than anything else, the tragic 
events of September 11 helped our Nation realize that it is blessed 
with so many wonderful heroes--not only the firefighters and other 
emergency personnel that were on the scene but countless others all 
over the Nation in our communities who demonstrate daily remarkable 
deeds of character, integrity and bravery.
  I have introduced this legislation because I believe children must 
learn to recognize the strong role models that live in their local 
communities. Children need to understand that they are important and 
can make a difference no matter their occupation. Although we often 
hear inspiring stories about famous celebrities, sports figures, and 
civil leaders, we seldom publicly recognize exceptional people right in 
our own neighborhoods and communities with whom children can more 
readily relate.
  The legislation before us today encourages communities to adopt 
programs that recognize local heroes and educate children about them, 
and supports the goals and ideals of a National Community Role Models 
Week.
  Establishing an annual week for identifying role models in our local 
communities would remind us how each individual, no matter his or her 
profession, plays a vital role in the greatness of this Nation.
  There are many working individuals in our local communities who are 
motivated every day by values such as selflessness, compassion, 
dedication, courage, and integrity. Although these people could be 
wonderful role models for children in their communities, their efforts 
are seldom publicly recognized and, as a result, people in the 
community cannot benefit from knowing about them.
  As children learn and act by examples they experience on a daily 
basis, they need role models from their local community with whom they 
can realistically relate. More than rock stars or sports figures, these 
individuals can better inspire children to think about their personal 
heroes and reflect upon their own dreams and aspirations.
  An organization in Troy, Michigan, the RARE (Recognizing 
Achievement--Rewarding Excellence) Foundation, has established a 
program to recognize outstanding community residents and teach children 
about their work ethic, values and accomplishments. The Foundation 
helps children develop a sense of purpose and hope for their future by 
providing inspirational examples of ordinary people with traditional 
jobs who make extraordinary contributions.
  Since its inception, the RARE Foundation has identified hundreds of 
unsung, silent heroes in the Detroit Metropolitan area. Some award 
winners include: an entrepreneur who built a successful company that 
teaches moderately handicapped people to live on their own; an 
apartment maintenance supervisor who risked his life to save tenants 
from a fire; a receptionist who created a care program for the spouses 
of terminally ill employees; detectives who worked for years during 
evenings and weekends to solve a murder; a principal of an elementary 
school located in a poverty-stricken and drug impacted neighborhood who 
led the school to achieve the national Blue Ribbon award. These 
individuals hold ordinary jobs but distinguish themselves with their 
extraordinary dedication, persistence and compassion.
  Earlier this year, RARE Foundation teamed up with the Detroit News 
and sent brochures to 19,000 classrooms throughout the State of 
Michigan asking students to write essays nominating the person who is 
their hero. The News received 600 essays in response and selected 
winners. During the week of September 11, the Detroit News sent a 20-
page supplement to schools that contained the winning essays, articles 
about RARE Award Winners and a teacher's guide for teaching the 
qualities and characteristics of heroism.
  Heroes in the eyes of 4th through 8th graders included: well-loved 
elementary school principals, local philanthropists, challenging and 
supportive teachers, school secretaries, venerable coaches, youth 
pastors, dentists, nurses, doctors, judges, veterans, and family 
members.
  H. Con. Res. 409 encourages communities to adopt similar programs 
that recognize local heroes and educate children about them.
  Children in need role models today more than ever in our history, and 
the role model in the family or next-door is immeasurably more 
important than the famous. It is essential that we validate and promote 
at a local level the exceptional values possessed by many individuals 
within our communities. Ideally, a national role models week would 
surround September 11 each year to memorialize the remarkable heroism 
and compassion displayed by so many after the terrible attack on our 
country. Establishing an annual week for identifying role models in our 
local communities would remind us how each individual, no matter his or 
her profession, plays a vital role in the progress of this nation.

[[Page 19270]]

  I encourage my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. DAN MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of 
my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Dan Miller) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 409.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was 
agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________