California Senate Bill SJR12 Amended / Bill

 BILL NUMBER: SJR 12AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN SENATE AUGUST 8, 2012 INTRODUCED BY Senator Rubio AUGUST 15, 2011 Relative to fatherhood. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SJR 12, as amended, Rubio. Fatherhood. This measure would urge the President and the Congress to pursue a comprehensive approach to  addressing issues facing boys and men of color by promoting  positive father involvement and mentoring for children that affirms that fathers and positive  adult men   male role models  are  a  critical  parts   part  of the lives of  children   children,  and to  direct   redirect  the  distribution of  funds and resources of the United States Department of Health and Human Services to the State of California as part of the White House Initiative on Fatherhood and Mentoring  to assist underserved boys and men of color throughout the state  , as specified. Fiscal committee: no.  WHEREAS, The health and well-being of California's children is enhanced when mothers, fathers, and caregivers dedicate their time and attention to their healthy development and growth; and   WHEREAS, California appreciates the many fathers who support all aspects of their children's lives and demonstrate their love and support through their actions and words; and   WHEREAS, In California, boys and men of color experience proportionally higher rates of poverty and discrimination related inequalities than members of other groups, including low educational attainment, subpoverty wage employment, victimization or death from violence, contact with the justice system and incarceration, incidence of substance abuse, and overall poor quality of life and health.  WHEREAS, California recognizes that at a time of reduced resources, fathers  and other positive male role models  must not be overlooked as  an   a valuable  asset  to their children, families, and communities; and   when addressing the issues facing boys and men o   f color; and  WHEREAS, Organizations that serve the social and educational interests of  children must look to both fathers and mothers to increase the positive influence that engaged and dedicated parents provide for children; and   boys and men of color must understand and incorporate a culturally appropriate approach to providing services; and  WHEREAS,  Children   boys of color  with present and engaged fathers  are more likely to have close,   or positive male role models in their lives are more likely to have  enduring relationships than those  whose   without  fathers are absent,   or male role models,  and these relationships contribute to long-term happiness, well-being, and social and academic success; and WHEREAS,  Children   boys of color  living apart from their  biological  fathers  and positive male role models  often confront obstacles that place them at risk for increased drug and alcohol use and reduced educational achievement; and  WHEREAS, Children with nonresident fathers are 54 percent more likely to be poorer than their fathers; and  WHEREAS, The involvement of nonresident fathers in their children' s schools is particularly important for children in grades 6 through 12 and reduces the likelihood that children will ever be suspended, expelled from school, or repeat a grade; and WHEREAS, Research documents a positive connection between the provision of child support by fathers and the well-being of schoolage children, particularly their cognitive development, academic achievement, and behavior; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and the Assembly of the State of California, jointly, That the Legislature urges the President and the Congress of the United States to pursue a comprehensive approach to  addressing issues facing boys and men of color by promoting  positive father involvement and mentoring for children that affirms that fathers and positive  adult men   male role models  are  a critical  parts   part  of the lives of  children   children,  and to redirect the distribution of funds and resources  by   of  the United States Department of Health and Human Services to the State of California as part of the White House Initiative on Fatherhood and Mentoring to assist underserved  children   boys  and men of color throughout the state; and be it further Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to the Majority Leader of the Senate, to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States, and to the author for appropriate distribution.