Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. letter to Rod Paige, July 30, 2002

ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR. (202) 225-3061 (ND COMMERCE COMMITTEE ASSISTANT DEPUTY MAJORITY WHIP Congress of tije Mntteb States? Щшг of Eepregentatibefi ®®aSf)mgton, ®C 20515-2002 July 30, 2002 The Honorable Rod Paige Secretary of Education Attn: Susan B. Neuman Asst. Sec. for Elementary and Secondary Education U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20202 (410)838-2517 (410) 255-6983 Dear Secretary Paige: I write to you in strong support of a funding request submitted to you by Maryland’s Harford County government. The request is for funding to enhance Harford County’s innovative Kids Caring Adult Network (CAN) mentoring program. Harford County is one of the fastest growing regions in the State of Maryland. In fact, the county’s population has increased 24 percent in the past decade. The Harford County public school system now serves more than 39,000 bright young students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. In light of its burgeoning population, Harford County has limited resources to deal with the complex needs of its young people. Accordingly, Harford County is actively promoting its Kids CAN initiative, a forward- thinking mentoring program that connects the county’s students with some of the brightest and most enthusiastic mentor candidates in the region. Kids CAN teams with 23 public schools and other organizations that have mentoring programs, provides training and screening for mentors, and matches them during their free time with one of the county’s promising young persons. Specifically, federal grant funding from your department would be used to enhance Kids CAN involvement throughout the Harford County community. Most importantly, funding could be invested in the efficient, proven faith-based initiatives which President Bush has so actively supported. Mr. Secretary, many thanks for your attention to this important request. I firmly believe the Kids CAN, with the help of a strong federal investment, can help Harford County’s kids reach their full potential in life. Please feel free to contact me should you have any additional questions or concerns. Very truly yours, Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Member of Congress