For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
January 9, 2004
National Mentoring Month, 2004
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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