Proc. 7519 Title 3--The President rant role in a child's life, particularly if a parent is absent. A mentor's in- volvement in the life of a child can brighten that child's future, help main- tain healthy families, and help promote more vibrant communities. Community mentoting programs have given millions of young people, par- ticularly those at high-risk for poor school performance and behavior prob- lems, a boost in life. Statistics indicate that most children who have been mentoted improve their school attendance and performance, go to college, and are less likely to use drugs or alcohol. By being a positive role model, a mentor can demonstrate the blessings of living a virtuous life by sharing their values and experiences and motivating a child to learn and achieve. We must teach our children the difference between right and wrong; and we must seize every opportunity to help a young person find the right path. We must also teach discipline and accountability. Many adults recall lessons they learned from childhood as a result of ob- serving and interacting with role models. They recognize their childhood homes and schools as places where love, encouragement, and instruction provided them with the tools they needed to become contributing citizens. Today, the role of families, schools, and communities remains crucial to providing stability and direction to America's young people. My Administration strongly supports Federal, State, and local programs that help families stay together, keep both parents involved in their child's life, and utilize our education system to stand by parents and reinforce the values that are taught in the home. I am particularly pleased that the Con- gress passed and I have signed into law legislation I proposed to strengthen and expand successful mentoting initiatives aimed at serving a vulnerable population: children whose parents are incarcerated. This new initiative-- "Promoting Safe and Stable Families Amendments of 2001"--represents the first comprehensive Federal effort to improve the lives of these chil- dren. This important legislation will help surround vulnerable youth with positive, one-on-one role models, and help them not just dream big dreams, but achieve them. On the occasion of National Mentoting Month, we pay tribute to the par- ents, teachers, community leaders, and citizens who serve as mentors and role models for our children. We encourage others to become involved in mentoting. 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 }anuary 2002 as National Mentoting Month. I call upon the people of the United States to recognize the importance of being role models for our youth, to look for mentoting opportunities in their communities, and to celebrate this month with ap- propriate ceremonies, activities, and programs. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighteenth day of }anuary, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and of the Independ- ence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-sixth. GEORGE W. BUSH 4
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