[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2169]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   SUPPORTING EFFORTS TO PROMOTE GREATER AWARENESS OF NEED FOR YOUTH 
     MENTORS AND INCREASED INVOLVEMENT WITH YOUTH THROUGH MENTORING

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                               speech of

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 27, 2003

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. 
Res. 25, a resolution commending those who give their time and talents 
to supporting mentoring programs. I support the efforts to promote 
greater awareness of the need for youth mentors and the increasing 
involvement with youth through mentoring.
  17.6 million young people, nearly half of the youth population, want 
or need the help of mentors to help them achieve their full potential. 
Currently only 2.5 million young people are in formal mentoring 
relationships, leaving 15 million young Americans without the aid of 
mentors.
  Every child in our community should be given the opportunity to 
achieve their full potential. The role of mentors in a child's 
development cannot be understated. Mentors serve as role models, 
friends, and advisors helping our youth to develop important social 
skills, enhance emotional well being, improve cognitive skills, and 
plan for the future. A mentor can provide crucial guidance, and 
encouragement, which motivates and nurtures our youth.
  Mentoring projects could be used to help control and lower the 
national high school dropout rate, which continues to be a major 
problem. An estimated 300,000 to 500,000 students in grades 10-12 leave 
school each year. If used effectively, I believe that mentoring 
programs could significantly lower the nation's high school dropout 
rate.
  This month is National Mentoring Month. We must take this opportunity 
to recognize the importance of youth mentors and work to embrace and 
promote mentoring activities and programs.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the efforts of the many mentors 
who provide the youth of our communities with the invaluable gifts of 
education and self-confidence.

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