[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 11]
[House]
[Page 14577]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    CALL FOR RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD

  (Mr. RYUN of Kansas asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. RYUN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, as we approach Father's Day, I rise 
to emphasize the importance of the father in a child's life. A father's 
presence at home contributes to a child's success in school. It also 
encourages a child to abstain from drugs and remain crime-free. Until 
we recognize these facts, we will struggle to defeat many of society's 
problems.
  We provide funding to alleviate problems that are caused by absent 
fathers, but what we really need are fathers who are physically, 
emotionally, and spiritually present in their child's life.
  I hope that this Father's Day will not just be a day for children to 
honor their fathers, but also a day for fathers to honor their children 
by investing in their lives.
  Rather than writing legislation, I am calling on my fellow fathers in 
Congress to lead by example. Doing so will leave a powerful and lasting 
legacy. It is my prayer that our actions will set a standard for 
fathers across America and awaken the hearts of many to the necessity 
and the responsibility of fatherhood.

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