Benjamin Gilman: “Mr. Chairman, I rise today to thank the distinguished subcommittee chairman and the gentleman from Michigan, Mr. Kildee…”

“Mr. Chairman, I rise today to thank the distinguished subcommittee chairman and the gentleman from Michigan, Mr. Kildee, and the ranking Republican, the gentleman from Pennsylvania, Mr. Goodling, for including my mentoring amendment in his en bloc amendment to H.R. 6, Improving America's Schools Act of 1994. Additionally, I would like to commend the committee for all of their diligent work in helping to improve our Nation's schools. My amendment allows the use of mentors who are high school or college students trained to provide tutoring to elementary and secondary students formerly enrolled in Head Start or Even Start programs. A number of studies indicate that the benefits accruing to Head Start children tend to dissipate if there is no continued reinforcement in their early elementary school years. My amendment would go along with the committee's intentions to establish projects to assist Head Start, Even Start, or similar preschool children in making a successful transition from preschool through the early elementary grades. A mentoring program would be a good way to help the Head Start and Even Start children achieve challenging academic standards, as well as helping them develop socially. We all know that parents are the central source of emotional, financial, and social support for their children. Unfortunately, many children have no such resources, especially those living in inner cities.”