US SENATOR JOHN CORNYN TO ADVOCATE FOR
YOUTH MENTORING IN TEXAS

Special Focus on Statewide Program Providing Mentors to
Children of Incarcerated Parents

HOUSTON, TX – April 3, 2007 – Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Texas announced today that United States Senator John Cornyn has agreed to serve as the organization’s Honorary State Chair. In this position, Senator Cornyn will act as spokesperson for BBBS and advocate for youth mentoring on the group’s behalf at various opportunities across the state and nationally.  Senator Cornyn will be the third Honorary State Chair for the organization following Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott and outgoing Chair Texas Railroad Commissioner Michael L. Williams.

"The mentoring provided through Big Brothers Big Sisters can make a life-changing impact on young people," Sen. Cornyn said. "Making a difference in the world starts at home, one person at a time. This organization places at-risk young people together with a role model, a man or a woman who can help point the way to success and accomplishment. In the process, lives are changed. It's an honor for me to support the important work of Big Brothers Big Sisters."

“It is an honor to have Senator Cornyn serve in this capacity on behalf of Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies throughout Texas,” said Charles Pierson, president of the Big Brothers Big Sisters State Association. “The opportunities that his participation represent and the impact that his Involvement will have on children throughout the state of Texas are immeasurable.”

In addition to developing awareness for their traditional youth mentoring program, BBBS has also requested that Senator Cornyn place emphasis on their Amachi Texas program. Based on the national Amachi program that provides mentors to children with incarcerated parents, Amachi Texas is a statewide effort that is funded and managed on a statewide level rather than by each individual BBBS agency. The Amachi Texas model represents the first statewide program initiated by the organization and is the first of its kind in the United States.  The success of the program has prompted interest from other states wanting to duplicate the program.

The Texas State Honorary Chair is a unique volunteer position designed to serve Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies throughout Texas by bringing awareness to the growing need for youth mentoring services for Texas children. Invitations to serve the 12-month-term as the Honorary Chair are extended through BBBS of Texas to well-respected individuals committed to the needs of our state’s children and serving in leadership positions throughout Texas and the nation. These individuals fulfill their commitment as the Honorary Chair by presenting the needs of the agency and the services they provide to organizations, corporations and agencies positioned to have a profound impact on the mission of the youth mentoring organization throughout the state.

Sen. Cornyn serves on the Armed Services, Judiciary and Budget Committees. In addition, he is Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Ethics. He serves as the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee’s Immigration, Border Security and Refugees subcommittee and the Armed Services Committee’s Airland subcommittee.

For more information, contact Rob Walter, Marketing and Communications Director at rwalter@bbbshouston.org, or (713) 860-8216.

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