[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 25 (Tuesday, February 8, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E125]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH

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                         HON. GUS M. BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 8, 2022

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of National 
Mentoring Month.
  January 2022 marked the 20th anniversary of National Mentoring Month, 
an annual campaign to focus attention on the need for mentors, as well 
as how each of us can work together to increase the number of mentors 
to help ensure positive outcomes for our young people.
  Mentoring programs across the country make our communities stronger 
by driving impactful relationships that increase social capital for 
young people and provide invaluable support networks.
  During the COVID-19 pandemic, mentoring programs have stepped up to 
fill gaps for young people and families, connecting them with resources 
and ensuring that mentoring relationships continue virtually to ensure 
that physical distancing does not mean social disconnection.
  Mentoring plays a pivotal role in career exploration and supports 
workplace skills by helping young people set career goals, equipping 
mentors with the skills needed to support the professional growth of 
young people, and drives positive outcomes for young people and 
businesses. Quality mentoring promotes healthy relationships and 
communication, positive self-esteem, emotional well-being, and growth 
of a young person and their relationships with other adults.
  Students who meet regularly with their mentors are 52 percent less 
likely than their peers to skip a day of school and youth who face an 
opportunity gap, but have a mentor, are 55 percent more likely to be 
enrolled in college than those who did not have a mentor. Youth who 
meet regularly with their mentors are 46 percent less likely than their 
peers to start using drugs and 27 percent less likely to start 
drinking.
  National Mentoring Month is the time of year to celebrate, elevate, 
and encourage mentoring across our country and recruit caring adult 
mentors. I encourage all of my colleagues to join me in this 
celebration and thank those individuals who are willing to step up and 
help shape the next generation of young Americans.

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