Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Osborne) and I introduced H. Con. Res. 41 to honor Big Brothers Big Sisters, the oldest and largest youth mentoring organization in the United States which celebrated its 100th anniversary last year. In recognition of this milestone, we encourage our colleagues to cosponsor the resolution which celebrates the centennial of Big Brothers Big Sisters and encourages the organization as it works toward its goal of serving one million children annually. A Senate companion to this legislation is being introduced by Senators Ensign and Dodd.
The gentleman from Nebraska and I both know firsthand the importance of mentoring, and we have both experienced its many rewards. I have been a Big Brother now for over 18 years. Beginning in 1986 when I was a relatively young lawyer, I walked into the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles and volunteered to become a Big Brother. I was given three Little Brother applications, each of whom had been on a waiting list for years. I was also asked how I would feel about having a minority Little Brother, to which I responded I thought it would be an even better experience for me and I hoped for my Little Brother as well.
I was paired ultimately with David, then 7 years old, who had been on the waiting list for 2 years; and we were Big Brothers for a day. It was a test run. We went to the beach. We survived the beach, and we decided we were the survivors, and now 18 years later we are still the survivors in a brotherhood that has lasted for almost two decades. Over that time, we went to the movies, we went to the park, we threw a ball around, we did all the kind of things brothers do. We each became part of each other's family. I cannot say what kind of a difference I may have made in his life, but I can tell you he has made a wonderful difference in mine.
I had the opportunity some years ago to go to David's graduation from Yale University. I like to say, when people ask me whether I think that without my influence in his life David would have gone to Yale, I say, no, he would have gone to Harvard. There is more than a little truth in that. He is an extraordinary not-so-young man now.
I also had a wonderful opportunity to watch him graduate from USC film school, and I am looking forward one day to going to the premiere of one of his films.
It has been a fabulous experience for me, and I know it has been a fabulous experience for my colleague from Nebraska, who has long been a champion of mentoring, having established a successful program at the University of Nebraska. We join with many Americans in recognizing the significant contributions to our Nation's children that Big Brothers Big Sisters have been making since 1904 through mentoring, creating and nurturing one-to-one relationships between adults and children.
Through the 454 local agencies that make up this life-changing organization, Big Brothers Big Sisters serves more than 220,000 children ages 5 through 18 in 5,000 communities across the United States.
Research shows that Big Brothers Big Sisters one-to-one mentoring helps at-risk youth overcome the myriad of challenges they face. Little Brothers and Little Sisters are less likely to begin using illegal drugs or consuming alcohol, skip school and classes or engage in acts of violence. They have greater self-esteem, more confidence in their performance at school and are able to get along better with their friends and families.
The organization works closely with parents and guardians to match every child with appropriate Big Brothers and Big Sisters. Each potential volunteer is screened, trained and supervised to ensure that the mentor-child relationship will be a safe and rewarding experience for everyone involved. I can attest to that. My interview, I think, was several hours long.
Partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters benefits America's most important national treasure, our children. Major private investments have enabled the organization to be a pioneer in volunteerism and developing new ways to reach different populations of at-risk kids. As a result, Mr. Speaker, Big Brothers Big Sisters is an ideal Federal partner as Congress strives to provide a better future for America's children.