Fatherhood

Yesterday was Father's Day and I have to start by thanking my wife and kids for a great day. I got a new hammer (complete with "World's Best Daddy" written on it), a book to read (The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan) and an icecream cake (Yum!).

Also yesterday was an op-ed piece in the Philadelphia Inquirer written by Sen Bayh and Sen Obama. The op-ed piece focuses on absent fathers, how to get them more involved, how to help the ones that are truly trying and how to punish the ones that aren't.

Children who grow up without a father are five times more likely to live in poverty and commit crime. They are nine times more likely to drop out of school, five times more likely to commit suicide, and 20 times more likely to end up in prison. They are more likely to have behavioral problems, to run away from home, and to become teenage parents themselves.

So the question is: What do we do as a nation to solve this problem? How do we make sure that these boys start acting like men?

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The American family is the foundation of our society, and strengthening that foundation is in the best interest of all of us, regardless of race, gender, class or political party. It is not a subject you may see reported on the nightly news or argued about on the Senate floor, but it is critical to many Americans struggling to raise their families.

As fathers ourselves, we know the tremendous pressures facing American families today. But our nation's future is only as secure as our children are, and promoting fatherhood is essential in making sure that every child has the chance to thrive. As we think about our own fathers and grandfathers, let this day mark the beginning of a new commitment to fatherhood in America - a commitment that brings families together and makes men of boys.

Fatherhood is one thing that has always been important to Sen Bayh. You can see it from his book, From Father to Son: A Private Life in the Public Eye, where he talks about growing up as the son of a famous father as well as raising his twin sons in the public spotlight. You can see it when he honors "Outstanding Hoosier Dads" who were nominated by their kids with essays (Congratulations to Dennis Mansfield of Fort Wayne and Frederick Richards of Churubusco who were among those honored). You can see it when he talks about his sons.

I am very proud of my father and I'm very proud to be a father.

I am also very proud to say that Sen Bayh truly understands the importance of fatherhood and is working to strengthen it.

Thank you Sen Bayh.