Thomas Mott Osborne: “between 1962 and 1998 I was involved with young people as a member of the coaching profession; and during that period of…”

“between 1962 and 1998 I was involved with young people as a member of the coaching profession; and during that period of time, that 36-year stretch, I saw some alarming trends. The out-of-wedlock birth rate went from 5 percent to 33 percent; an increase in children living without both biological parents has increased to nearly 50 percent; the United States has become the most violent Nation for young people in the civilized world; it has the highest homicide and the highest suicide rate. Back in 1960, cocaine, marijuana, and methamphetamine were practically unheard of and today, of course, we have a major epidemic. So as far as I am concerned, Mr. Speaker, the greatest threat that we have to our Nation is what is happening to our young people. I would like to suggest that the best available solution that I have been able to observe is mentoring. A mentor is, number one, someone who cares. Many children simply have no one in their lives, no adult who shows unconditional love and acceptance of them, and a mentor is somebody who does that. Mentoring also provides affirmation. No one, whether you are 5 years old, 10 years old, or 60 years old, can function very well if there is not someone who occasionally says, we care about you, we approve of what you are doing, way to go. So a mentor is one who provides affirmation in a world where many young people get very little of it. Then, thirdly, a mentor is one who provides a vision of what is possible.”