[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 3 (Monday, January 19, 2004)]
[Pages 53-54]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7749--National Mentoring Month, 2004

 January 9, 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, 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

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 9:09 a.m., January 13, 
2004]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on January 
14. This item was not received in time for publication in the 
appropriate issue.

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