Political Quotes

“I wish to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, Senator Kennedy, Senator Jeffords, and Senator Kassebaum, for their assistance in including my amendment on the importance of mentoring programs in S. 1150, the Goals 2000: Educate America Act. I am very grateful for their support. We have all seen or read the horrible statistics on the welfare of our children. One in five children lives in poverty; 380,000 students drop out of school each year, the teen pregnancy rate has soared and our children are growing up in a more violent society, the ramifications of which we are just beginning to understand. Mentoring programs, where youths are matched with adults or peers who provide role models for them during the tough, at-risk years, can become the quality bridge between Head Start and high school. I know from personal experience that mentoring is a way to make a difference in a child's life, to reach into the goodness of a child and yourself at the same time. Everyone who cares about the future of our children should give a child time, attention, caring, and tutoring on school subjects and on life. There are examples of mentoring and peer tutoring programs in many of our schools and communities. They involve college students, youth service organizations, and senior citizens. Unfortunately, this proven strategy for helping our children succeed in school and in life receives little direct Federal assistance. That is why I introduced my amendment.”