[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 82 (Tuesday, May 16, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H2357]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Molinaro) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. MOLINARO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize May as Mental 
Health Awareness Month.
  One in six students is experiencing childhood mental health 
disorders. Among adults, that number jumps to one in five.
  Our Nation is facing a mental health crisis, and it requires urgent 
action. For too long, mental health has been a topic that people have 
been afraid to openly discuss.
  It carries with it a stigma that has prevented people from getting 
the care they need. I know this firsthand. Having been raised by a 
single mom with undiagnosed depression, I know the challenges that many 
families face. While grateful for her love, I knew the struggles that 
she lived with.
  Talking about mental health simply isn't enough. We must work hard to 
break down and break through barriers and encourage more people to seek 
the help they need.
  That requires us as a nation and as communities to invest more and to 
help ensure anyone who needs mental health treatment can access it.
  I spent much of the last 12 years as a local elected official 
building up the most comprehensive community-based mental health model 
in the country. It is now, today, the model that New York State uses, 
and it is critically important that we expand the reach and the ability 
of individuals to access community-based mental health treatment.
  In upstate New York, we have incredible providers like the Mental 
Health Association of the Southern Tier. Unfortunately, these providers 
are stretched thin and face growing demand. They need our help.
  That is why we must increase Federal commitment to mental health 
programming and incentivize mental health education to boost the 
pipeline of qualified practitioners.
  As we recognize Mental Health Awareness Month, we must increase our 
commitment to addressing the mental health crisis in our communities.
  This is an issue that transcends party and politics. By working 
together, we can build communities where everyone has the support they 
need to live out a full, healthy, and fulfilling life.


                     Honoring National Police Week

  Mr. MOLINARO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with many of my colleagues in 
honor of National Police Week. I join Members across this country in 
recognizing the brave men and women who serve in Federal, State, 
county, and local law enforcement.
  I especially acknowledge and recognize the men and women of law 
enforcement throughout upstate New York, the county, State, and local 
men and women who put their lives on the line every day to protect our 
communities.
  Sadly, however, they don't get the recognition that they deserve, and 
appreciation, while well deserved, is simply not enough.
  New York State passed cashless bail reforms that have allowed 
dangerous criminals to be released and remain in our communities and on 
our streets, reoffending, creating new victims, undermining law 
enforcement, and diminishing public safety.
  These laws make it harder and more dangerous to be a law enforcement 
official or a police officer. It is no wonder our police officers are 
leaving the profession in record numbers.
  Here in Congress, we are moving this week to pass bills to show our 
support and appreciation for law enforcement and to prove again that we 
have their backs. We defend those who defend us and vigorously oppose 
the defund and defame the police movement, not just because it is the 
right thing to do but because it will further protect our police 
officers and enhance community safety.

  Mr. Speaker, we recognize all of those men and women who serve and 
sacrifice every day, and we are grateful to them and their families.
  May they always come home to a family that loves them and a community 
that supports them.

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