January 13, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H171 

indicated their willingness to be bound 

by it. The ATOMAL Agreement with 

respect to the New Parties meets the 

requirements of the Atomic Energy 

Act of 1954, as amended. While the 

ATOMAL Agreement continues in force 

with respect to the United States and 

the other current parties to it, it will 

not become effective as an agreement 

for cooperation authorizing the exchange of atomic information with respect to the New Parties until completion of procedures prescribed by sections 123 and 144 b. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended. 

For more than 40 years, the ATOMAL 

Agreement has served as the framework within which NATO and the other 

NATO members that have become parties to this agreement have received 

the information that is necessary to an 

understanding and knowledge of and 

participation in the political and strategic consensus upon which the collective military capacity of the Alliance 

depends. This agreement permits only 

the transfer of atomic information, not 

weapons, nuclear material, or equipment. Participation in the ATOMAL 

Agreement will give Bulgaria, Estonia, 

Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, 

and Slovenia the same standing within 

the Alliance with regard to nuclear 

matters as that of the other current 

parties to the ATOMAL Agreement. 

This is important for the cohesiveness 

of the Alliance and will enhance its effectiveness. 

I have considered the views and recommendations of the Department of 

Defense and other interested agencies 

in reviewing the ATOMAL Agreement 

and have determined that its performance, including the proposed cooperation and the proposed communication 

of Restricted Data thereunder, with respect to the New Parties will promote, 

and will not constitute an unreasonable risk to, the common defense and 

security. Accordingly, I have approved 

the ATOMAL Agreement with respect 

to the New Parties and authorized the 

Department of Defense to cooperate 

with the New Parties in the context of 

NATO upon satisfaction of the requirements of section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended. 

The 60-day continuous session period 

provided for in section 123 begins upon 

receipt of this submission. 

GEORGE W. BUSH.

THE WHITE

f 

HOUSE, January 9, 2009. 

b 1415 

ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER 

PRO TEMPORE 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, the Chair 

will postpone further proceedings 

today on motions to suspend the rules 

on which a recorded vote or the yeas 

and nays are ordered, or on which the 

vote is objected to under clause 6 of 

rule XX. 

Record votes on postponed questions 

will be taken after 6:30 p.m. today. 

SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND 

IDEALS OF NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH 2009 

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I move 

to suspend the rules and agree to the 

resolution (H. Res. 41) supporting the 

goals and ideals of National Mentoring 

Month 2009. 

The Clerk read the title of the resolution. 

The text of the resolution is as follows: 

H. RES. 41 

Whereas mentoring is a longstanding concept in which a dependable, caring adult provides guidance, support, and encouragement 

to facilitate a young person’s social, emotional, and cognitive development; 

Whereas research on mentoring shows that 

formal, high quality mentoring focused on 

developing the competence and character of 

the mentee, promotes positive outcomes 

such as improved academic achievement, 

self-esteem, social skills, and career development; 

Whereas research on mentoring also indicates strong evidence of the success in reducing substance use and abuse, academic failure, and delinquency; 

Whereas mentoring, in addition to preparing young people for school, work, and 

life, is also extremely rewarding for those 

serving as mentors; 

Whereas more than 4,200 mentoring programs in communities of all sizes across the 

United States focus on building strong, effective relationships between mentors and 

mentees; 

Whereas 3,000,000 young Americans are currently in solid mentoring relationships due 

to the remarkable vigor, creativity, and resourcefulness of the thousands of mentoring 

programs in communities throughout the 

Nation; 

Whereas in spite of the progress made to 

increase mentoring, our Nation has a serious 

‘‘mentoring gap’’ with nearly 15,000,000 

young people currently in need of mentors; 

Whereas public-private mentoring partnerships bring State and local leaders together 

to support mentoring programs by preventing duplication of efforts, offering training in industry best practices, and helping 

them make the most of limited resources to 

benefit the Nation’s youth; 

Whereas the designation of January 2009 as 

National Mentoring Month will help call attention to the critical role mentors play in 

helping young people realize their potential; 

Whereas the month-long celebration of 

mentoring will encourage more individuals 

and organizations, including schools, businesses, nonprofit organizations, faith institutions, and foundations, to become engaged 

in mentoring across our Nation; 

Whereas National Mentoring Month will, 

most significantly, build awareness of mentoring and encourage more people to become 

mentors and help close the Nation’s mentoring gap; and 

Whereas the President issued a proclamation declaring January 2009 to be National 

Mentoring Month and calling on the people 

of the United States to recognize the importance of mentoring: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

(1) supports the goals and ideals of a National Mentoring Month; 

(2) recognizes with gratitude the contributions of millions of caring adults and students who are already volunteering as mentors and encourages more individuals to volunteer as mentors; and 

(3) encourages the people of our Nation to 

promote the awareness of, and to volunteer 

involvement with, youth mentoring. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 

Texas (Mr. HINOJOSA) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. 

PLATTS) each will control 20 minutes. 

The Chair recognizes the gentleman 

from Texas. 

GENERAL LEAVE

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which 

Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 41 into the RECORD. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there 

objection to the request of the gentleman from Texas? 

There was no objection. 

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 

myself such time as I may consume. 

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support 

of House Resolution 41, which recognizes January as National Mentoring 

Month. 

Today, we acknowledge and thank 

the millions of caring adults and students who are volunteering as mentors. 

I commend their generous efforts. National Mentoring Month also serves as 

a great opportunity to recruit additional mentor volunteers. 

I would also like to recognize the tremendous leadership of the resolution’s 

author, Congresswoman SUSAN DAVIS

from California, on the issue of mentoring. She is a true champion and advocate for mentoring on the Education 

and Labor Committee. She reminds us 

that everyone can benefit from a mentoring relationship: young, old, students, teachers, and, yes, even Members of Congress and other public servants. Mentors can help us realize our 

full potential. 

Mentors directly improve the lives of 

those who need a little extra guidance. 

Research consistently proves that mentors bolster academic achievement, 

self-esteem, social skills, and career 

development. In addition to these positive outcomes, mentoring reduces delinquency, substance abuse, and academic failure. Mentoring transcends 

the lives of our children. The importance of mentoring teaches young people that a better life is attainable 

through education. 

Today, there are about 4,200 mentoring programs in communities all 

across this country. Some of these programs run out of national boys and 

girls clubs, YMCAs, Big Brother and 

Big Sister organizations, and hundreds 

of other nonprofit organizations. In my 

own congressional district, the VAMOS 

program and our local boys and girls 

clubs are exemplary programs which 

have provided thousands of youths 

with mentors. I am proud to celebrate 

their work during National Mentoring 

Month. 

The mentoring programs throughout 

this Nation make a great difference in 

improving the lives of our youth. 

Through their efforts, 3 million young 

people report having quality mentor 


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H172 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE January 13, 2009 

relationships. This country, however, 

still needs nearly 15 million more positive mentors. 

As a Nation, we must continue to encourage volunteers to invest their 

human capital in our youth. Through 

nonprofit, government, and private sector partnerships, we can expand 

mentorship. National Mentoring Month 

is a reminder to reinvest our energy towards mentoring relationships. By 

building awareness on this issue, I encourage more people to serve as mentors in our Nation. 

Mr. Speaker, once again, I express 

my support for House Resolution 41, 

and I urge my colleagues to support me 

with this resolution. 

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of 

my time. 

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in 

support of House Resolution 41, and I 

yield myself such time as I may consume. 

Mr. Speaker, this resolution celebrates National Mentoring Month, 

commends mentors who are positively 

impacting the lives of young people, 

and highlights the need for additional 

mentors to make themselves available 

to America’s youth. 

Mentoring is a structured and trusting relationship that brings young people together with caring individuals 

who offer guidance, support, and encouragement aimed at developing the 

competence and character of the 

mentee. A mentor is an adult who, 

along with parents, provides a young 

person with support, counsel, friendship, and positive reinforcement. 

By all estimates an astounding 17.6 

million young people, nearly half the 

population of young people between the 

ages of 10 and 18, live in situations that 

put them at risk of not living up to 

their full potential. Without immediate intervention by caring adults, 

they could make choices that not only 

undermine their futures but ultimately 

the economic and social well-being of 

our great Nation. 

With the help and guidance of an 

adult mentor, every child can discover 

how to unlock and achieve his or her 

full potential. Youth development experts agree that mentoring is a critical 

element in any child’s social, emotional, and cognitive development. It 

builds a sense of industry and competency, boosts academic performance, 

and broadens the horizons of prospective students. 

By honoring mentors and mentoring 

programs, we recognize the importance 

of mentoring programs implemented in 

our local schools and communities. We 

also draw attention to the components 

of a quality program, including appropriate screening of potential mentors 

and careful matching of youth with 

adults who have a genuine interest in 

providing guidance and being exemplary role models. 

Today, thanks to the commitment 

and dedication of mentoring advocates, 

3 million young Americans are now enjoying mentoring’s many benefits 

through school-based, faith-based, and 

community organizations. That’s a sixfold increase in formal mentoring relationships since the national mentoring 

movement galvanized the Nation in the 

early 1990s. It’s an impressive accomplishment. However, 15 million more 

young people who need mentors are 

waiting their turn. They make up our 

Nation’s mentoring gap. 

To be a mentor, you don’t need any 

special skills, just an ability to listen 

and to offer friendship, guidance, and 

encouragement to a young person 

growing up today. Today, I’m asking 

all Americans to give a child hope by 

sharing their time and knowledge 

along with their experiences. 

I urge all Members to support this 

resolution. 

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in 

support of H. Res. 41, supporting the goals 

and ideals of National Mentoring Month, observed each January. It is a time to celebrate 

and highlight the positive impact adult and student mentors have on the youth of the Nation. 

Young people from all walks of life have the 

potential and ability to succeed and contribute 

to society. Unfortunately, not all students receive the support necessary to realize their full 

potential. As many as 15 million young students in our country lack the vital guidance 

they need to support the emotional, social, 

cognitive, and academic development that will 

enable them to reach their maximum potential 

and become prospering adults. 

With limited resources and the considerably 

high teacher to student ratios in our schools, 

teachers in the classroom face the daunting 

task of providing students with emotional and 

personal support in addition to academic instruction. The work accomplished by our 

teachers is admirable, but teachers alone cannot prepare young students to become fruitful, 

mature adults. Mentors are critical to helping 

foster the personal growth of each individual 

child. 

Together with parents, mentors provide 

youth with a wide array of guidance and support to enhance their social and character development. A good mentor is willing to sacrifice for his or her mentee and gives attention 

in all areas of life. Mentors provide encouragement in student endeavors, private counsel in 

delicate matters, leadership through difficult 

times, and advice. Such mentoring produces 

students who perform better in school academically, become more actively involved in 

their schools, have more self-confidence, and 

take responsibility for their own actions. As a 

mentor, I have seen and experienced the mutual benefits of mentorship both for the student 

and the mentor. Mentors are doing incredible 

work and I praise their commitment to our children and their future. However, more mentors 

than ever are needed, and our Nation faces a 

shortage of mentors. 

As a Member of the House Appropriations 

Committee, I will continue to support funding 

for student-mentor programs and to greatly expand awareness of the benefits of mentoring. 

Together with my colleagues, I will encourage 

more adults to mentor young students as well 

as help train adults and students to support, 

guide, and lead young students. Students 

need more caring mentors and our children 

desperately need access to them. We cannot 

depend solely on our teachers to guide our 

children. It is my hope that each child in America will some day have access to his or her 

own mentor. Although we face a faltering 

economy and tight budgets, the choice to cut 

corners on our children’s future is not an option. Our children deserve the opportunity to 

realize their full potential and the opportunity 

to succeed in every endeavor they pursue. 

I would like to thank Representative SUSAN

DAVIS for introducing this legislation and providing this opportunity to renew the commitment of Congress to expanding and enhancing mentoring relationships for our Nation’s 

youth. In addition, I want to thank all the mentors across America for their dedication and 

generosity. 

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, 

I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 41, 

‘‘Supporting the goals and ideals of National 

Mentoring Month 2009.’’ I would like to thank 

my colleague, Congresswoman SUSAN DAVIS, 

for introducing this important resolution, as 

well as the chairman of the Committee on 

Education and Labor, Congressman GEORGE

MILLER, for his leadership in bringing the bill to 

the floor today. 

Mr. Speaker, great numbers of Americans 

donate their time and their unique skills and 

gifts to our cities and communities, without 

any expectation of compensation or material 

reward. 

As chair of the Congressional Children’s 

Caucus, I understand how important mentors 

are for our youth. Mr. Speaker, today many 

youth face temptations that often lead them 

down destructive paths, and it is vitally important that we provide guidance that helps them 

make good decisions. 

Mentors have been an integral part of society for many years, dating back to Ancient 

Greece. The Greek poet Homer wrote in the 

Odyssey that when Odysseus left to fight in 

the Trojan War, he charged Mentor, his wise 

old friend, with the task of caring for his son, 

Telemachus, and teaching him wisdom. Since 

then, the word mentor has come to mean a 

wise and responsible tutor or an experienced 

person who advises, guides, teaches, challenges, corrects, and serves as a model. 

In our society today, mentors exist in many 

different environments. There are mentors in 

professional settings who guide apprentices by 

teaching them how to effectively perform in 

the workplace. There are mentors in academic 

settings who guide students, teaching them 

how to reach and maintain high scholastic 

achievement. There are mentors in community 

groups who guide their prote ́ge ́s through life 

issues, teaching them how to be productive 

citizens. There are even mentors in spiritual 

and church groups who advise others through 

their spiritual growth. In all cases, they are 

very important and essential to the success of 

the youth that they mentor. 

Who needs mentors? 

There are 35.2 million young people ages 

10–18 in the U.S. today; of those young people: 1 out of 4 lives with only one parent; 1 out 

of 10 was born to teen parents; 1 out of 5 

lives in poverty; 1 out of 10 will not finish high 

school. 

About half of young Americans—17.6 million 

young people—want or need caring adult 

mentors to help them succeed in life. Of those 

17.6 million young people, only 2.5 million are 

currently in formal mentoring relationships. 


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January 13, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H173 

That leaves 15.1 million youth still in need 

of formal mentoring relationships. We call this 

our Nation’s ‘‘mentoring gap.’’ Mr. Speaker, 

imagine if every child had a mentor—just one 

person whom they could look up to and go to 

for advice and guidance. Imagine how many 

young lives could be positively impacted. We 

could create the avenues and encouragement 

to ensure that all of our children receive the 

proper education. Too many of our youth are 

not being properly advised and guided on the 

importance of getting an education. 

Mentors can help give those youth living in 

poverty to strive towards a brighter future for 

themselves. Every child could benefit from 

having someone in his or her life to turn to for 

advice and help in the time of need. 

The positive relationships and reinforcement 

that mentors provide are clearly effective. 

Young people today are confronted with many 

challenges in life. They can find the confidence to overcome many of these challenges 

through a mentor. The benefits of a mentor 

are immeasurable. 

I am proud to cosponsor legislation that will 

add service before self to our leaders of tomorrow. I urge my colleagues to join me in 

supporting this legislation. 

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today 

in support of H. Res. 41, and to recognize all 

those who mentor youth on Guam. Often we 

talk about children in this chamber and we 

sometimes lose sight of a fundamental truth: It 

is beyond the Government alone to truly improve the quality of life for a child. Our ability 

to appropriate funds or authorize Government 

programs does not equal the impact a single 

dedicated mentor can have for a child. We 

cannot buy patience nor can we legislate understanding. The hard work of mentoring, of 

explaining right from wrong, of serving as a 

role model, and helping establish personal 

goals to work toward, falls to the mentor. A 

mentor’s work may be confined to a single 

child and known but to a few, but we cannot 

deny their collective accomplishments throughout our Nation. 

There is no question that we need more 

mentors. Today, more than 15,000,000 children are in need of a mentor. These children 

are growing up in challenging times. We must 

encourage mentoring and express our gratitude to those who perform this invaluable 

service. It is unfortunately, beyond our capability to find every mentor and thank them individually. We can, however, pass H. Res. 41 to 

recognize all of our Nation’s mentors this 

month and to support the goals and ideals of 

National Mentoring Month. I urge support for 

H. Res. 41. 

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, mentoring impacts the lives of so many in our 

country. Three million people currently participate in a healthy, caring mentoring relationship. A quality mentoring program offers a 

young person the strength, confidence, and 

stability they need to mature and grow. Witnessing this growth is the unique reward for a 

mentor’s invested time and energy. 

I believe the best part about mentoring, 

what makes it so successful, is its simplicity. 

There is a basic human need to have another’s care, support, and trust. A mentor can 

provide that to a young person, and that gift 

often inspires a cycle of helping others. 

Unfortunately, there still exists a gaping deficit of mentors. Approximately 15 million new 

mentors are needed, which stems from the 

demand for our Nation’s youth to have positive 

role models in their lives. 

I recently learned of a particularly touching 

mentoring relationship in my district in San 

Diego. 

As an infant, Anthony was in a car accident, 

sadly leaving him without a mother. Since his 

father was in jail, Anthony was left to his 

grandmother’s care. During his childhood, Anthony was diagnosed with Aspberger’s syndrome. His grandmother found him a mentor 

through Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego 

County and now, 11 years later, Anthony is 

one-half of a successful mentoring relationship. Before meeting his mentor, Anthony 

would never go outside and was frightened of 

loud noises. Spending time with his mentor 

every week has given Anthony the strength 

and self-confidence to experience things he 

might never have tried. 

At the basis of a mentoring relationship like 

Anthony’s is a firm and unwavering commitment. Successful mentoring relies on a commitment to show up, to open up, to be vulnerable, to learn, to laugh, to grow . . . So, this 

month and always, let us recognize these millions of important commitments made by 

young and old across our country and offer 

our own commitment to continue to promote 

the goals and ideals of National Mentoring 

Month. 

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, and I 

urge my colleagues to join us in celebrating 

National Mentoring Month, 2009. 

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I have no 

further requests for time, and I yield 

back the balance of my time. 

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I also 

do not have any further requests for 

time, and I yield back the balance of 

my time. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The 

question is on the motion offered by 

the gentleman from Texas (Mr. 

HINOJOSA) that the House suspend the 

rules and agree to the resolution, H. 

Res. 41. 

The question was taken. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the 

opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being 

in the affirmative, the ayes have it. 

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, on that 

I demand the yeas and nays. 

The yeas and nays were ordered. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 

Chair’s prior announcement, further 

proceedings on this motion will be 

postponed. 

f 

HONORING THE LIFE OF 

CLAIBORNE PELL 

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I move 

to suspend the rules and agree to the 

resolution (H. Res. 50) honoring the life 

of Claiborne Pell, distinguished former 

Senator from the State of Rhode Island. 

The Clerk read the title of the resolution. 

The text of the resolution is as follows: 

H. RES. 50 

Whereas Claiborne deBorda Pell was born 

on November 22, 1918, in the State of New 

York; 

Whereas after receiving a degree in history 

from Princeton University in 1940 and a Master of the Arts degree from Columbia University in 1946, and after serving in the United 

States Coast Guard during World War II, 

Claiborne Pell continued his career in public 

service as part of the Foreign Service, serving in Czechoslovakia, Italy, and the District 

of Columbia; 

Whereas Claiborne Pell was elected to the 

Senate in 1960 by the people of the State of 

Rhode Island; 

Whereas in 1972, as a member of the Senate, Claiborne Pell was instrumental in creating the Basic Education Opportunity 

Grants; 

Whereas the Federal Pell Grants, renamed 

in honor of Claiborne Pell in 1980, have 

helped over 54,000,000 low- and middle-income 

students attend college and achieve their 

educational goals; 

Whereas during his time in the Senate, 

Claiborne Pell was a supporter of education, 

human rights, workers, international law 

and diplomacy, and the arts, sponsoring the 

legislation that created the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities; 

Whereas the High Speed Ground Transportation Act of 1965, sponsored by Claiborne 

Pell, became the origin for the Amtrak system in the Northeast corridor; 

Whereas Claiborne Pell became Chairman 

of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee 

in 1987, and an important voice in United 

States foreign policy and against international military conflict; 

Whereas after serving 6 terms in the Senate, Claiborne Pell retired in 1996; 

Whereas Claiborne Pell was appointed 

United States Delegate to the United Nations in 1997; 

Whereas on January 1, 2009, at the age of 

90, Claiborne Pell passed away in Newport, 

Rhode Island: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

(1) honors the life, achievements, and distinguished career of Senator Claiborne Pell; 

(2) emphasizes that, among his legislative 

accomplishments, Senator Claiborne Pell 

changed the face of higher education by enabling millions of low- and middle-income 

students to achieve the dream of a college 

education; and 

(3) recognizes the Federal Pell grants, the 

educational grants that bear his name, as a 

significant part of the legacy of Senator 

Claiborne Pell. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule the gentleman from 

Texas (Mr. HINOJOSA) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. 

PLATTS) each will control 20 minutes. 

The Chair recognizes the gentleman 

from Texas. 

GENERAL LEAVE

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which 

Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 50 into the RECORD. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there 

objection to the request of the gentleman from Texas? 

There was no objection. 

Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 

myself such time as I may consume. 

I rise today to honor the life and numerous accomplishments of former 

Senator Claiborne Pell. As a six-term 

United States Senator from Rhode Island and the former chairman of the 

Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, he was a strong voice in educational policy, international policy, 


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