[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 118, 108th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

Proclamation 7749 of January 9, 2004


 
National Mentoring Month, 2004


By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Mentoring reflects the great strength of America--the heart and soul of
the American people. During National Mentoring Month, we recognize the
dedicated individuals who volunteer their time to mentor young people,
and we encourage more citizens to give back to their communities as
mentors.
Mentors are friends, teachers, and role models. They open doors of
opportunity, convey values, and help provide the stability and
encouragement that young people need to succeed. By spending time with a
child and showing compassion and guidance, a mentor can profoundly
affect a young life. Research shows that adolescents who have an adult
mentor are far less likely to engage in high-risk behaviors. Mentoring
relationships create continuing cycles of hope and promise, as they not
only provide positive influences for individual children, but also
strengthen families and communities.
My Administration is working to expand mentoring and other volunteer
activities across America. Through the USA Freedom Corps, we are
promoting volunteer service and offering our citizens more opportunities
to help others. We are also supporting faith-based and community
organizations, including many who sponsor mentoring programs. In total,
more than 63 million Americans volunteered in their communities over the
past year--approximately 4 million more than the previous year.
The Department of Education will use Federal funds to work with national
youth-serving organizations, independent community groups,

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and local education agencies to develop, expand, and strengthen school-
based mentoring programs for disadvantaged middle school students. In
addition, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of
Justice, and other agencies will offer grants to help youth- serving
organizations recruit and train adult mentors for nearly 100,000
children whose parents are incarcerated.
These efforts are an important part of our ongoing work to ensure that
every child can realize the great promise of America. Every life has
value and potential, and all deserve the opportunity to have a bright
future. By supporting the individuals and organizations involved in
mentoring and by encouraging more citizens to participate in their good
works, we can transform America, one heart and one soul at a time.
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 2004 as National
Mentoring Month. I call upon the people of the United States to
recognize the importance of mentoring, to look for opportunities to
serve as mentors in their communities, and to celebrate this month with
appropriate activities and programs.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of
January, in the year of our Lord two thousand four, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
eighth.
GEORGE W. BUSH
PROCLAMATION 7750--JAN. 12, 2004