On the recordJanuary 26, 2010
Today I rise in support of House Resolution 1029. This resolution designates the week of February 1 through February 5 as ``National School Counseling Week.'' It is extremely vital that we recognize those very people who mentor and motivate our youth to do their very best. Our Nation's school counselors work everyday to ensure every child has opportunities for personal and educational growth. With very little resources, they help some kids stay in school and help others cope with personal tragedies. They help our children dream big and prepare for careers from manufacturing to medicine to becoming tomorrow's future leaders. Thus it is vital we support and honor those who play key roles in our children's success and life. The national ``drop out'' rate has increased to 6.2 million students in the United States ranging in age from 16 and 24. This pressing issue is of utter importance and should be addressed with urgency as it pertains to our youth. These statistics are hard to believe. Only half of the high school students in the Nation's 50 largest cities are graduating in four years. Marguerite Kondracke, president and CEO of America's Promise, says that each year dropouts represent $320 billion in lost lifetime earning potential. The difference in lifetime salary for a dropout and a high school graduate is about $300,000.
