This Father's Day, I congratulate all of the fathers in our community. Fatherhood is a journey of joy and challenges. Children bring great happiness and with it great responsibilities. Fathers have an obligation to help shape the children they bring into the world.

As a father, I strive to be quick with praise and slow with criticism; give them a strong sense of right and wrong but also teach them tolerance so they may live well in diversity. I teach them responsibility and civic duty.

President Obama has been vocal about fatherhood in his campaign. He is asking all fathers to “step up”, take responsibility and be active in raising their children. I commend President Obama for this message. After all, our children are our legacy.

Happy Father's Day,

Mayor Carlos Alvarez