S.Res. 599 — Agreed to in Senate

III 113th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 599 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES December 11, 2014 Mr. Toomey (for himself and Mr. Casey) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Recognizing the 100-year anniversary of Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania. Whereas Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania is a nonprofit organization that provides children facing adversity with strong, enduring, and professionally supported one-to-one mentor relationships; Whereas Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania serves children who are— (1) living in areas with a high poverty rate, areas with a high incidence of juvenile arrests, or single-parent households; (2) impacted by homelessness or familial incarceration; or (3) attending a struggling school; Whereas mentors serving as advisors, role models, or friends can diminish risk factors, enhance protective factors, and make a lasting impact on the lives of children; Whereas Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania supports and enriches the lives of children and promotes and reinforces positive activities, behaviors, and attitudes by working with donors, partners, family members, volunteers, and advocates; Whereas the Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania mentor program is proven to help at-risk children reach their potential; Whereas the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence at the University of Colorado classifies the Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania mentor program as a blueprint model intervention program for effectively reducing adolescent violent crime, aggression, delinquency, and substance abuse; Whereas blueprint programs have the highest standards and meet the most rigorous tests of effectiveness and replicability in the field of helping at-risk children; Whereas children who participate in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania mentor program perform better in school and develop better relationships with their families and peers; Whereas Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers, known as Bigs, and at-risk children, known as Littles, throughout Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County, and Philadelphia County; Whereas Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania supports nearly 3,000 mentor matches each year; Whereas an estimated 250,000 underserved children in southeastern Pennsylvania remain at risk for academic failure; and Whereas Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania is committed to bringing life-changing work to the children in the region who need it the most: Now, therefore, be it That the Senate recognizes the 100-year anniversary of Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania.