[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 170 (Wednesday, September 29, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S6775]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

              TRIBUTE TO MIKE MARIANI AND DEVIN McLAUGHLIN

 Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, I am proud to recognize Mike 
Mariani of Spofford and Devin McLaughlin of West Chesterfield as 
September's Granite Staters of the Month. Mike and Devin are currently 
biking nearly 4,000 miles across the United States to raise money and 
awareness for suicide prevention efforts following the loss of Mike's 
brother to suicide in 2018.
  Three years ago, Mike lost his 16-year-old older brother Nathan. 
Nathan was a junior at Keene High School at the time and was known to 
friends and family for his sense of humor and love for the outdoors.
  In his memory, Mike and his best friend Devin launched Pedaling for 
Prevention, an initiative to raise awareness for suicide prevention by 
cycling across the country. Pedaling for Prevention also raises money 
for The Samaritans in Keene, which is a nonprofit that provides 
resources, including an anonymous crisis hotline, to help Granite 
Staters battling depression or thoughts of self-harm.
  This cross country bike ride was initially scheduled for last year, 
but the COVID-19 pandemic forced Mike and Devin to change their plans. 
Instead, the pair travelled across New England and held socially 
distanced meet-and-greets where folks could share their stories about 
losing loved ones to suicide and help reduce the stigma around mental 
health. On their return home, the duo received a warm welcome from 
their community, including a ride through town on the top of a fire 
truck, courtesy of the Chesterfield Fire Department.
  Mike and Devin started their long-awaited cross-country journey 
earlier this summer. The two are currently exhibiting an incredible 
show of endurance by pedaling 3,762 miles across the entire United 
States and providing social media updates to spread awareness about the 
importance of suicide prevention. On their journey, they are also 
sharing their story with people they meet along the way to further 
expand their reach.
  These two thoughtful, brave, and determined young people embody what 
it means to be a Granite Stater. After a heartbreaking loss that 
reverberated through an entire community, Mike and Devin decided to 
make a positive impact by spreading a message of resilience and hope, 
all the while educating others about suicide prevention and the 
importance of reaching out for help.

                          ____________________