Recognizing January 2026 as "National Mentoring Month".
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 1047
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Education
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-09: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-13T15:27:29Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This House Resolution (H. Res. 1047) aims to officially recognize January 2026 as "National Mentoring Month." It seeks to highlight the value of mentoring relationships in supporting youth development, raise awareness about the need for more mentors, and encourage the growth of mentoring programs across various settings like schools, communities, and workplaces.
Key Provisions
The resolution includes a detailed preamble outlining the benefits of mentoring, followed by five main resolved clauses:
- Recognizes "National Mentoring Month" to celebrate its impact.
- Honors adults who volunteer or work as mentors in programs, crediting them with helping youth build inner strength and achieve potential.
- Acknowledges mentoring's role in boosting education, career planning, social connections, reducing youth crime, and building stronger communities.
- Promotes creating and expanding high-quality mentoring programs nationwide to help youth lead healthy, productive lives.
- Supports efforts to address the "mentoring gap," where many young people lack guidance from adults outside their home.
The preamble cites research showing mentoring improves academic success, mental health, social skills, and reduces risks like drug use or dropping out of school, especially for vulnerable groups such as foster youth, Alaska Native and American Indian youth, and those in juvenile justice systems.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution, so it introduces no changes to existing laws or statutes. It builds on prior recognitions of National Mentoring Month (established in earlier years) by reaffirming its importance without creating new legal requirements or funding.
Potential Impacts
- On citizens: Encourages more volunteering as mentors, potentially benefiting youth by improving their education, mental health, career readiness, and social opportunities. It highlights a "mentoring gap" affecting 40% of young people, urging community action to provide guidance and reduce isolation.
- On government agencies: Minimal direct impact, as it is symbolic; however, it may inspire federal, state, or local education and workforce agencies to integrate mentoring into youth programs.
- On international relations: None, as the focus is entirely domestic.
- Overall, it could foster collaboration among public, private, and nonprofit sectors to expand mentoring resources, leading to stronger communities and better youth outcomes without mandating action.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Youth: Primary beneficiaries, especially underserved or at-risk groups (e.g., foster youth, those in justice systems, or minority communities), gaining support for education, mental health, and life skills.
- Mentors and volunteers: Recognized and encouraged, including teachers, coaches, faith leaders, and community members; the resolution notes high satisfaction among mentors (e.g., 80% plan to continue).
- Mentoring organizations: Nonprofits, schools, colleges, religious groups, sports teams, and workplaces, prompted to expand programs and incorporate cultural elements for better engagement.
- Communities and families: Indirectly affected through reduced juvenile delinquency, improved youth behaviors, and stronger social ties.
- Bipartisan lawmakers: Sponsored by a diverse group of House members from both parties, indicating broad political support.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: As a simple resolution, it has no enforceable effect and does not alter laws; it serves as a congressional statement to promote awareness.
- Constitutional: No implications, as it aligns with Congress's power to recognize observances under the First Amendment's free speech protections and does not infringe on individual rights.
- Political: Demonstrates bipartisan consensus (over 20 cosponsors from both parties) on youth development issues, potentially influencing future funding or policies for mentoring without controversy. It emphasizes evidence-based practices, appealing to a wide audience focused on social good.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5]
Cosponsors (28)
Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. Frankel, Lois [D-FL-22], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Mfume, Kweisi [D-MD-7], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13]
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-09: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 2026-02-09: Submitted in House
- 2026-02-09: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Recognizing January 2026 as "National Mentoring Month". — issued 2026-02-09 — PDF (5 pages)