    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 3 (Monday, January 21, 2002)]
    [Pages 87-88]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Proclamation 7519--National Mentoring Month, 2002

     January 18, 2002

     By the President of the United States

     of America

     A Proclamation

        National Mentoring Month allows us to recognize the important
    contributions made by the millions of our fellow citizens who choose to
    strengthen our Nation by giving their time, effort, and heart to serve
    as a mentor and role model for a young person. Through quality education
    programs, community initiatives, and personal involvement, mentors help
    our children become better citizens by showing them how to make the
    right choices, to work hard, and to care for their neighbors in need.
    Mentors play an important role in a child's life, particularly if a
    parent is absent. A mentor's involvement in the life of a child can
    brighten that child's future, help maintain healthy families, and help
    promote more vibrant communities.
        Community mentoring programs have given millions of young people,
    particularly those at high-risk for poor school performance and behavior
    problems, a boost in life. Statistics indicate that most children who
    have been mentored improve their school attendance and performance, go
    to college, and are less likely to use drugs or alcohol. By being a
    positive role model, a mentor can demonstrate the blessings of living a
    virtuous life by sharing their values and experiences and motivating a
    child to learn and achieve. We must teach our children the difference
    between right and wrong; and we must seize every opportunity to help a
    young person find the right path. We must also teach discipline and
    accountability.
        Many adults recall lessons they learned from childhood as a result
    of observing and interacting with role models. They recognize

    [[Page 88]]

    their childhood homes and schools as places where love, encouragement,
    and instruction provided them with the tools they needed to become
    contributing citizens. Today, the role of families, schools, and
    communities remains crucial to providing stability and direction to
    America's young people.
        My Administration strongly supports Federal, State, and local
    programs that help families stay together, keep both parents involved in
    their child's life, and utilize our education system to stand by parents
    and reinforce the values that are taught in the home. I am particularly
    pleased that the Congress passed and I have signed into law legislation
    I proposed to strengthen and expand successful mentoring initiatives
    aimed at serving a vulnerable population: children whose parents are
    incarcerated. This new initiative--``Promoting Safe and Stable Families
    Amendments of 2001''--represents the first comprehensive Federal effort
    to improve the lives of these children. This important legislation will
    help surround vulnerable youth with positive, one-on-one role models,
    and help them not just dream big dreams, but achieve them.
        On the occasion of National Mentoring Month, we pay tribute to the
    parents, teachers, community leaders, and citizens who serve as mentors
    and role models for our children. We encourage others to become involved
    in mentoring.
         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 2002 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 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 eighteenth day
    of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and of the
    Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
    sixth.
                                                    George W. Bush

     [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., January 23,
    2002]

    Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on
    January 24.