; Whereas the sustained involvement of a father with their child to the age of 7 helps negate the risk of psychological maladjustment; Whereas a trusting relationship between a caring father and son will help the son grow into a strong father themselves; Whereas a litany of research relates positive outcomes with increased father involvement with their child, including— (1) higher academic achievement; (2) better school readiness and performance; (3) higher self-esteem; and (4) greater social awareness; Whereas the involvement of a loving father in the life of a 16-year-old child predicts less psychological distress for that child when they reach adulthood; Whereas 1,300 step families are formed every day and 1 out of every 25 families with children have adopted a child, demonstrating a variety of fatherhood experiences; and Whereas the genuine love of a father is irreplaceable, and the positive externalities that coincide with the love of a father prove both the power of genuine affection and the responsibility fathers have in caring for their children: Now, therefore, be it