[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 129 (Wednesday, September 24, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1845]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




[[Page E1845]]

    HONORING 30 YEARS OF BIG BROTHERS/BIG SISTERS IN PINELLAS COUNTY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 24, 1997

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the 
Big Brothers and Big Sisters program in Pinellas County, FL. This 
Saturday, they will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of their 
service to the children of Pinellas County, which is located in my 
congressional district. Although I will not be able to participate in 
their celebration in person, I want to share my thoughts on this 
critically important program with my colleagues in Congress.
  The Pinellas County Commission has proclaimed Saturday, September 27, 
as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pinellas County Day. I join them in 
recognizing one of the premier mentoring programs in the United States. 
The undisputable fact is that Big Brothers Big Sisters one-to-one 
mentoring program has a positive impact on children who participate in 
the program.
  Children who are matched with big brothers or sisters are less likely 
to engage in destructive or antisocial behavior than those kids who are 
not. The ``littles,'' as they are affectionately called by their bigger 
counterparts, are less likely to begin using illegal drugs and alcohol 
and more likely to attend school regularly than those children without 
the positive guiding influence of a big brother or sister. In fact, 
program participants are more confident at school and enriched 
relationships with their family members than those without a ``big'' 
influence.
  Since 1967, approximately 15,000 children have participated in the 
Big Brothers Big Sisters program in Pinellas County. The agency has 
been at the forefront in developing exciting and innovative ways to 
improve the program's success. Its method for screening volunteers has 
been widely adopted by other children's service organizations.
  Last year, Pinellas Big Brothers Big Sisters participated in the 
President's Summit on Volunteerism. Currently, there are 385 active 
matches in Pinellas County and there are 163 children waiting to be 
paired.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support Big Brothers Big Sisters 
program in their congressional districts. These dedicated volunteers 
help children become productive well-adjusted and caring members of the 
society. I commend Pinellas County Big Brothers Big Sisters for their 
leadership in helping children in my district and wish them continued 
success in the future.

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