[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.