From Sherrod Brown

April 5, 2002

Mr. Ray Lautenschlager
392 Lindenwood Avenue
Akron, OH 44301-2148

Dear Mr. Lautenschlager:

Thank you for expressing your views about child custody. I
appreciate your concern that fathers in separated families may face
unfair and counter-productive barriers to fulfilling their parental
role.
Positive parent involvement is key to any child's success. The
American Psychological Association (APA) press release of March
24, 2002 states that children in joint custody arrangements had less
behavior and emotional problems, higher self-esteem, better family
relations, and better school performance than children in sole
custody arrangements. These results apply except in cases where
one parent is abusive or neglectful or has a serious mental or
physical health problem.
Issues of child custody are normally under the jurisdiction of state
and local governments. I urge you to share your views with your
state representatives. They can be reached at the addresses below.

Senator Kevin Coughlin
Representative
Bob Otterman
Senate Building
77 South High
Street
Room 137, First Floor
10th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
Columbus, OH
43215
(614) 466-4823
(614) 644-
6037

Thank you again for contacting me.

Sincerely,

SHERROD BROWN
Member of Congress
2438 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Sherrod@mail.house.gov