Supporting Responsible Fatherhood and Encouraging Greater Involvement of Fathers in the Lives of Their Children

SUPPORTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD AND ENCOURAGING GREATER INVOLVEMENT OF FATHERS IN THE LIVES OF THEIR CHILDREN -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 18, 2004)

SPEECH OF
HON. DANNY K. DAVIS
OF ILLINOIS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MONDAY, JUNE 14, 2004

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, it is startling when one in three children are raised "fatherless", but it is part of our reality. Numerous studies have shown the devastating effects on children when fathers did not play an active role in their child's life. For these reasons, although, it is important to discuss the interactions of mother and child, we cannot forget the interactions of the whole family and the inclusion of fathers.

As the Committee on Education and the Workforce discussed the reauthorization of Head Start, I was able to have A Fatherhood Initiative amendment incorporated into the bill. The initiative is intended to strengthen the role of fathers in families, in their child's life, and allow them to play an interactive role in their child's development and education. By getting fathers involved during their child's early years, we hope it will set the precedent for a lifetime of bonding and positive interaction between the two. Within this initiative and after the general outreach to father, the fathers will be included in home visits and targeted for more participation.

Although we would hope that all fathers would take part in their child's life, it is not always the case. This is why my amendment extends the father initiative to father figures as well to make sure that the male role model is firm in a child's life, whether it is an older brother, uncle, grandfather or step-parent.

Madam Speaker, as we get ready to celebrate Father's Day on Sunday, we hope that more fathers will step up to their important role as a parent. Yet, it is also a day to give great praise, support and to celebrate the fathers in our Nation that never gave up, never backed down and have always been fathers and daddies to their children. Overall, our focus should be on the child-and to fully bring awareness of the best well-being of a child, we must put our efforts on strengthening the whole family.

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