Date: 2010-01-26
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I rise today in support of H. Res. 990. "Expressing support for designation of January 2010 as "National Mentoring Month" and for other purposes. introduced by my distinguished colleague from Minnesota. Representative MCCOLLUM. "National Mentoring Month." since January 2002. has been a national initiative and an annual campaign focusing attention on the need of mentors to mentees. and to promote youth mentoring with the message that. "If weindividuals. businesses. government agencies. schools. faith communities. and nonprofitscan work together to increase the number of mentors. we assure brighter futures for our young people." This annual initiative and campaign is spearheaded by the Harvard School of Public Health. MENTOR. and the Corporation for National and Community Service. President Barack Obama. former Secretary of State General Colin Powell. former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Arizona Senator JOHN MCCAIN. music producer Quincy Jones. poet Maya Angelou. music recording artist Usher. and actor Clint Eastwood. have all endorsed the campaigns for National Mentoring Month. A highlight of the campaign is the "Thank You Mentor Day." in which mentees thank and honor their mentors for their mentorship. Mentees are encouraged to reach out to their mentors to express their appreciation. Mentees also have the options of posting a tribute to their mentor or mentors on WhoMentoredYou.org. to become a mentor in their local communities. and/or make a financial contribution to a mentoring program. Dr. Jay A. Winsten. as associate dean at the Harvard School of Public Health stated that. "Youth mentoring is a highly effective public health intervention. Research has shown that programs that rely on volunteer mentors can play a powerful role in reducing drug abuse and youth violence. while greatly enhancing a young persons prospects for leading a healthy and productive life." Mentoring is a longstanding tradition where mentors provide guidance. support. encouragement and aid in promoting positive outcomes. in the areas of career and social development in helping young people realize and reach their full potential. I agree with Ms. Nicola Goren. the Director of the Corporation. in the regard that. "Our nations success depends on helping every child succeed and reach their full potential in life and that mentoring strengthens our nations economic and social wellbeing by influencing the life choices of young people with a caring adult." More than 4.700 mentoring programs in communities of all sizes across the United States focus on building strong relationships and 3.000.000 young people are in mentoring programs throughout the United States. In making January a monthlong celebration of mentoring. it will call action to the important role and responsibility that all mentors play in the shaping of the young people of America. and will encourage more individuals and organizations to become engaged in this nationwide effort across this great Nation in building awareness of this national initiative and campaign for mentorship for our youth. I would like to personally encourage all the members of Congress to either become a mentor or to encourage a friend or family member today to become a mentor. not only for our youth. but for this country.