U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK H. OBAMA LAUNCHES NATIONAL CONVERSATION ON FATHERHOOD ... MOVES FATHERHOOD AND MEN'S ISSUES TO AMERICA'S NATIONAL RADAR SCREEN

On Friday, 19 June 2009, The Honorable Barack H. Obama, President of the United States, launched a National Conversation on Fatherhood. A Town Hall Meeting on Fatherhood was conducted at The White House in which Fathers joined President Obama in discussing what is being done to strengthen Fathers and families and the communities in which Fathers work and live in. The President along with a group of Fathers and Mentors visited a number of non-profit organizations in the Washington, D.C. area that provide mentoring and support services to young men.

President Obama, a Father himself, has made Fatherhood and Men's issues a national priority by calling for the continuation of a National Conversation on Fatherhood which will take the form of regional town hall meetings throughout the United States and explore, among other things, Fatherhood issues and identify organizations which create key "pieces of the puzzle" that empower and strengthen Fathers and help them positively shape the minds and souls of our children -- our future -- our bridge to the future. This move on the part of President Obama is being hailed by many as the "proverbial shot heard 'round the world" for Fathers, Fatherhood Practitioners and Fathers' Rights advocates.