IV 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 487 
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that fatherhood is 
essential to the development of all children, and that the increased 
involvement of fathers in the home will lead to economic prosperity, 
educational excellence, and improved social mobility for children across 
all racial and ethnic groups. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 6, 2025 
Mr. OWENS (for himself and Mr. DONALDS) submitted the following resolu-
tion; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, 
and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Ways and 
Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in 
each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdic-
tion of the committee concerned 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that 
fatherhood is essential to the development of all children, 
and that the increased involvement of fathers in the 
home will lead to economic prosperity, educational excel-
lence, and improved social mobility for children across 
all racial and ethnic groups. 
Whereas fathers play an important role in providing nurture 
and support for children, enabling them to learn, develop, 
and reach their full potential; 
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•HRES 487 IH 
Whereas fatherlessness and the lack of important role models 
in the lives of children today are a root cause of the vio-
lence and unrest we are witnessing in our Nation; 
Whereas, despite some successful legislation and the creation 
of fatherhood initiatives, fatherless homes are still preva-
lent; 
Whereas research shows children do best when raised by two 
parents in a committed and long-term marriage; 
Whereas, according to the United States Census Bureau, 
18,400,000 children in the United States live without a 
father in the home; 
Whereas data supports the hypothesis that having strong 
male role models in the home helps prevent suicide, be-
havioral disorders, juvenile detention, substance abuse, 
aggression, violence, and teen pregnancy; 
Whereas fathers play an important role in teaching important 
life skills, providing guidance through challenges, and 
helping children persevere through adversity; and 
Whereas by promoting fatherhood with amended policies that 
incentivize two-parent households and increasing evi-
dence-based practices, the number of fatherless homes 
will decrease across all communities: Now, therefore, be 
it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) affirms the importance of fatherhood in car-
ing for, nurturing, and supporting children through-
out their lives; 
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•HRES 487 IH 
(2) supports the efforts of public officials, com-
munity leaders, faith leaders, and all citizens to pro-
mote and encourage engaged fatherhood; 
(3) recognizes the impact that fatherlessness 
has had on American children, including in the 
Black community, in creating obstacles for children 
to learn, grow, develop, and live fulfilling and re-
warding lives; 
(4) recognizes the impact the criminal justice 
system and incarceration have had in creating sin-
gle-parent homes; 
(5) recognizes misaligned incentives in the 
structure of Federal welfare programs and the bar-
riers they create in allowing fathers to return home 
to their spouse and children; 
(6) supports programs and initiatives to provide 
incarcerated individuals with the tools and skills to 
seek meaningful employment opportunities upon re-
lease from detention; 
(7) reaffirms support for efforts to encourage 
educational opportunities and economic development 
in minority communities, such as historically Black 
colleges and universities, the First Step Act, and 
Opportunity Zones; 
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•HRES 487 IH 
(8) commits to researching and understanding 
the root causes of fatherlessness, and crafting public 
policy that supports and encourages fully engaged 
fatherhood; 
(9) should address the difficulties of child cus-
tody as it relates to alimony and child support; 
(10) should explore tax incentives and programs 
to incentivize American dads as foster parents and 
in mentoring programs; and 
(11) should develop a national promotional ef-
fort to incentivize fatherhood. 
Æ 
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