FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, January 09, 2004
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The White House - Office of the Press Secretary
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National Mentoring Month, 2004 |
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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 organiza-tions, 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 organiza-tions involved in mentoring and by
encouraging more citizens to partici-pate 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
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