SENATE MEMORIAL 9

51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2014

INTRODUCED BY

Jacob R. Candelaria

A MEMORIAL

PROCLAIMING JANUARY 29, 2014 AS "BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS MENTORING DAY" IN THE SENATE.

     WHEREAS, big brothers big sisters is the oldest and largest provider of one-on-one youth mentoring services in the United States; and

     WHEREAS, big brothers big sisters is celebrating one hundred years of bringing caring adults and children together; and

     WHEREAS, more than three thousand children are served annually by big brothers big sisters in New Mexico, providing quality relationships that are built on friendship and trust; and

     WHEREAS, the big brothers big sisters statewide association consists of five agencies committed to working together to maximize resources to serve more children in New Mexico communities; and

     WHEREAS, mentoring has proven to be a significant positive influence on the life of a child and an adult volunteer; and

     WHEREAS, trained professionals recruit, screen, match and support big and little brothers and sisters through a network of four hundred seventy agencies throughout the country; and

     WHEREAS, one-on-one mentoring relationships between caring adults and children have documented positive outcomes for the children; and

     WHEREAS, caring for and educating children who face many challenges in today's world is of the utmost importance; and

     WHEREAS, children matched with a big brother or big sister are fifty percent less likely to start using drugs and alcohol; are fifty-three percent less likely to skip a day in school; are less likely to hit someone or to start a fight; and demonstrate increased positive relationships with peers and parents;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that January 29, 2014 be proclaimed "Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentoring Day" in the senate; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the big brothers big sisters statewide association.

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