[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 5 (Wednesday, January 8, 2003)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 995-996]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-438]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 5 / Wednesday, January 8, 2003 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 995]]

                Proclamation 7636 of January 2, 2003

                
National Mentoring Month, 2003

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Across our great Nation, many Americans are responding 
                to the call to service by mentoring a child in need. By 
                offering love, guidance, and encouragement, mentors put 
                hope in children's hearts, and help ensure that young 
                people realize their full potential. During National 
                Mentoring Month, we recognize the vital contributions 
                of dedicated mentors, and we encourage more Americans 
                to make a difference in the hearts and souls of our 
                communities by volunteering their time to meet the 
                needs of America's youth.

                Volunteers provide friendship and support to young 
                people who are facing challenging situations, serve as 
                positive role models, and help to instill important 
                values, goals, and skills. Mentors help young Americans 
                build confidence, gain knowledge, and develop the 
                character necessary to make the right choices and 
                achieve their dreams. Statistics show that at-risk 
                children with mentors demonstrate improved academic 
                performance and are less likely to be involved in 
                destructive activities such as drugs, alcohol, and 
                violence.

                During these extraordinary times, we are experiencing a 
                growing culture of service, citizenship, and compassion 
                in our country, with millions of Americans sacrificing 
                for causes greater than self. Dedicated individuals are 
                getting involved in mentoring through faith-based and 
                community organizations, corporate initiatives, school-
                based programs, and many other outlets for kindness. By 
                dedicating their time and their talents to offer a 
                child a quality relationship with a caring adult, 
                mentors strengthen our families and our communities and 
                reflect the true spirit of America.

                Many Americans can point to individuals who influenced 
                their lives and helped to shape them into who they are 
                today. Whether they were teachers, coaches, relatives, 
                clergy, or other community leaders, these positive role 
                models have been critical to our healthy development 
                and helped to instill purpose in our lives. As we honor 
                these everyday heroes, we also recognize that there is 
                a great need for more mentors in America. Too many 
                children in our Nation are growing up without enough 
                support and guidance in their lives, and we must work 
                to ensure that no child is left behind.

                This month, I encourage all Americans to become a 
                mentor and change the life of a child in need. In July, 
                the National Mentoring Partnership helped establish the 
                USA Freedom Corps Volunteer Network--the largest system 
                in the Nation for matching individuals with volunteer 
                opportunities. I am proud of this partnership and ask 
                individuals to go online at www.usafreedomcorps.gov or 
                call 1-877-USACORPS to find millions of ways to help 
                children in their neighborhoods. Together, we can 
                reaffirm the promise of America and point the way to a 
                brighter future for all of our children.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United 
                States, do hereby proclaim January 2003 as National 
                Mentoring Month. I call upon the people of the United 
                States to recognize the importance of being role models 
                for our youth, to look for mentoring

[[Page 996]]

                opportunities in their communities, and to celebrate 
                this month with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and 
                programs.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                second day of January, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand three, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and twenty-seventh.

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 03-438
Filed 1-7-03; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P