Expressing support for designation of January 2010 as "National Mentoring Month".

Madam Speaker, I was not present for the following roll call votes. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows:

On rollcall No. 454, on H. Con. Res. 292, Supporting the goals and ideals of National

Aerospace Week, and for other purposes, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 450, on H. Res. 1219, Expressing support for designation of September as National Child Awareness Month, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 449, on H. Con. Res. 126, Recognizing the 50th anniversary of Title VI international education programs within the Department of Education, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 448, on H. Res. 1472, Expressing support for designation of the week of September 13, 2010, as National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 372, on H.R. 5297, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 293, on H.R. 5330, To Amend the Antitrust Criminal Penalty Enhancement and Reform Act of 2004 to Extend the Operation of Such Act for a 5-Year Period Ending June 22, 2015, and for Other Purposes, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 292, H.R. 1017, Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 291, H. Con. Res. 278, Expressing the Sense of Congress That a Grateful Nation Supports and Salutes Sons and Daughters in Touch on Its 20th Anniversary That is Being Held on Father's Day, 2010, at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, the District of Columbia, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 213, H. Res. 1271, Honoring the Life and Achievements of Rev. Benjamin Lawson Hooks, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 212, H. Res. 1257, Supporting the Goals and Ideals of National Financial Literacy Month, 2010, and for Other Purposes, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 172, H. Res. 1205, Providing for Consideration of the Bill (H.R. 4849) to Amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to Provide Tax Incentives for Small Business Job Creation, Extend the Build America Bonds Program, Provide Other Infrastructure Job Creation Tax Incentives, and for Other Purposes (On Ordering the Previous Question), I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 153, On Approving the Journal, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 84, H. Res. 699, Expressing the Appreciation of Congress for the Service and Sacrifice of the Members of the 139th Airlift Wing, Air National Guard, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 50, H.R. 4238, To Designate the Facility of the United States Postal Service Located at 930 39th Avenue in Greeley, Colorado, As the ``W.D. Farr Post Office Building'', I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 49, H.R. 4425, To Designate the Facility of the United States Postal Service Located at 2-116th Street in North Troy, New York, As the ``Martin G. `Marty' Mahar Post Office'', I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 19, H. Res. 1003, Expressing Support for the Designation of January 10, 2010, Through January 16, 2010, As National Influenza Vaccination Week, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 18, H. Res. 1011, Recognizing the Importance of Cervical Health and of Detecting Cervical Cancer During Its Earliest Stages and Supporting the Goals and Ideals of Cervical Health Awareness Month, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 17, H. Res. 990, Expressing Support for Designation of January 2010 As ``National Mentoring Month'', I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 5, H.R. 3892, To Designate the Facility of the United States Postal Service Located at 101 West Highway 64 Bypass in Roper, North Carolina, As the ``E.V. Wilkins Post Office'', I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 858, H. Res. 868, Honoring and Recognizing the Service and Achievements of Current and Former Female Members of the Armed Forces, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 381, H.R. 2847, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 109, H.J. Res. 38, Making Further Continuing Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2009, and for Other Purposes, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 108, H.J. Res. 38, Making Further Continuing Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2009, and for Other Purposes, I would have voted ``no.''

On rollcall No. 107, On Approving the Journal, I would have voted ``aye.''

Madam Speaker, on Tuesday, January 12, I requested and received a leave of absence until January 27, 2010.

For the information of our colleagues and my constituents, below is how I would have voted on the following votes I missed during this time period.

On rollcall 1, Establishing a quorum in the House of Representatives for the Second Session of the 111th Congress, I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 2, Disposing of the President's Veto of H.J. Res. 64 (H.J. Res. 64), I would have voted ``no.''

On rollcall 3, Honoring the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., (H. Res. 1002) I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 4, Supporting the initiatives of Chicago Wilderness and the Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights (H. Res. 860), I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 5, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 101 West Highway 64 Bypass in Roper, North Carolina, as the ``E.V. Wilkins Post Office (H.R. 3892), I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 6, Congratulating the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine for its 150 years of commitment to advancing science and improving health (H. Res. 1004), I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 7, Congratulating the Penn State women's volleyball team on winning the 2009 NCAA Division I national championship (H. Res. 1015), I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 8, Commending the University of Virginia men's soccer team for winning the 2009 Division I NCAA National Championship (H. Res. 991), I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 9, Motion on Ordering the Previous Question on the Rule providing for consideration of H.R. 3254-Taos Pueblo Indian Water Rights Settlement Act--H.R. 3342 Aamodt Litigation Settlement Act--and H.R. 1065-White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification Act of 2009 (H. Res. 1017), I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 10, Castle Nugent National Historic Site Establishment Act of 2009 (H.R. 3726), I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 11, Idaho Wilderness Water Resources Protection Act (H.R. 3254), I would have voted ``no.''

On rollcall 12, Taos Pueblo Indian Water Rights Settlement Act (H.R. 3254), I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 13, Aamodt Litigation Settlement Act (H.R. 3342), I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 14, White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification Act of 2009 (H.R. 1065), I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 15, Expressing Condolences to and Solidarity with the People of Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating Earthquake of January 12th, 2010 (H.R. 1021), I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 16, Nuclear Forensics and Attribution Act (H.R. 730), I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 17, Expressing support for designation of January 2010 as ``National Mentoring Month'' (H. Res. 990), I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 18, Recognizing the importance of cervical health and of detecting cervical cancer during its earliest stages and supporting the goals and ideals of Cervical Health Awareness Month (H. Res. 1011), I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 19, Expressing support for the designation of January 10, 2010, through January 16, 2010, as National Influenza Vaccination Week (H. Res. 1003), I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 20, Rule providing for consideration of H.R. 4474--Idaho Wilderness Water Facilities Act--and H.R. 3726-Castle Nugent National Historic Site Establishment Act of 2010 (H. Res. 1038), I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 21, Expressing support for designation of January as Poverty in America Awareness Month (H. Res. 1024), I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 22, Idaho Wilderness Water Facilities Act (H.R. 4474), I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 23, Castle Nugent National Historic Site Establishment Act of 2010 (H.R. 3726), I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 24, To provide for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (H.R. 4508), I would have voted ``yes.''

On rollcall 25, Honoring the 95th anniversary of the signing of the Rocky Mountain National Park Act (H.R. 1020), I would have voted ``yes.''

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 we--individuals, businesses, government agencies, schools, faith communities, and nonprofits--can 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 person's prospects for leading a healthy and productive life.'' Mentoring is a long-standing 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 nation's success depends on helping every child succeed and reach their full potential in life and that mentoring strengthens our nation's economic and social well-being 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 month-long 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.

Madam Speaker, as co-chair of the Congressional Mentoring Caucus, I rise today in strong support for designating January 2010 as National Mentoring Month. Thank you to Chairman Miller and Chairwoman Woolsey for bringing this legislation to the floor. I would also like to thank the other chairs in the Mentoring Caucus, Mrs. Davis of California and Mr. Rogers of Michigan, who are original cosponsors of this legislation.

We all have an important role to play in the lives of young people around us. Our entire community needs to be part of the process in shaping young lives to become responsible citizens. When caring adults make connections and provide guidance to our youth, it makes a positive impact on their lives.

A local newspaper in Minnesota recently ran an article about the enormous difference mentoring makes in someone's life. All of us have experienced that personally. For far too many young people and children, they just might not have a strong adult presence in their lives. Mentors encourage the development of strong characters and healthy identities. That's a fact. We have the data to back that up.

Studies show that young adults who have mentors are less likely to experiment with drugs, skip school, or become involved in criminal activity; and at the same time, students are more likely to be confident, make good grades and graduate from high school and improve their self-esteem when they have a mentor. When these students grow up, they are more likely to be better parents, better neighbors, in general, better citizens.

Nationally, there is an estimated mentoring gap of 15 million at-risk young people who need and who would benefit greatly from a mentor. In Minnesota alone, there are more than 250,000 students who fall into this gap.

I sponsored this resolution to help raise awareness of this gap and of the many benefits of mentoring for both the mentee and the mentor and to encourage more people to volunteer their time and to invest in a child's well-being and their future.

Mentorship does not end with childhood. Whether you're asking a neighbor to assist you after you've had your first child or you're seeking a person at work or your place of worship to guide you through these tough decisions, mentoring benefits people of all ages.

My life has personally been filled with many mentors from my childhood right up until today. Congressman Bruce Vento--whose seat I now hold--mentored me from my early days in politics until I decided to run for Congress. And you never know where you might find a mentor. Many in this Chamber might have been surprised that one of my closest mentors was Congressman Henry Hyde from Illinois. He helped me understand the history

and the greatness of this institution, and he taught me by example that elected officials should always, always respect one another in debate and always respect one another especially when we disagree.

I encourage all of my colleagues to look for opportunities to mentor our youth, and they can start by doing that today by voting ``yes'' on this resolution.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise today in support of House Resolution 990, expressing support for the designation of January 2010 as National Mentoring Month, and I am glad we are doing it before it's over.

National Mentoring Month celebrates mentors who are positively impacting the lives of people and highlights the need for additional mentors to make themselves available for America's youth.

Mentoring is a structured and trusting relationship that brings young people together with caring individuals who offer guidance, support, and encouragement, all aimed at developing the confidence 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, almost 18 million young people--nearly half of 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 potential. Without immediate intervention by caring adults, they can make choices that not only undermine their futures but, ultimately, the economic and social well-being of our Nation.

Research 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, career development, and social skills. 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 people are now enjoying mentoring's many benefits through school-based, faith-based, and community organizations. It's a six-fold increase in formal mentoring relationships since the early 1990s.

Today we recognize the contribution mentors make to the lives of the Nation's youth. The time adults take to serve as a mentor provides children and young adults with a positive adult example and support system. Adult mentors should be recognized for their contributions and efforts, and, therefore, I urge Members to support this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I urge adoption of this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.