[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 24 (Tuesday, March 8, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 8, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF PROJECT CHILDREN

                                 ______


                         HON. E. CLAY SHAW, JR.

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 8, 1994

  Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Project Children, a 
national volunteer organization that brings Protestant and Catholic 
children from Northern Ireland to the United States each summer.
  Project Children was founded 20 years ago by Denis Mulcahy, a member 
of the New York City Police Department's bomb squad. Its purpose is to 
give children a brief respite from the troubles in Northern Ireland, 
where summers have been marked by heightened violence in the ongoing 
civil war. During those 20 years, more than 8,000 Irish boys and girls 
have spent summers in the United States with volunteer families who 
opened their hearts and their homes to children forced to grow up amid 
hatred and civil strife.
  The program is really about barbecues and softball and the simple 
joys of summer, which all children should enjoy. Project Children has 
no political agenda, but all involved hope that in a small way the 
religious tolerance the children witness--and share in during their 
time here--will carry over after they return home. It is because of the 
nonpolitical nature of Project Children's goals and message that it is 
accepted and supported by both the Catholic and Protestant communities 
in Northern Ireland.
  In Washington, Project Children has been blessed by active support 
from members of the political community on both sides of the aisle. I 
am proud to have played a small role, through which I have gained a 
window on the outstanding work done by Project Children's thousands of 
volunteers and other benefactors.
  While we are beginning to witness some encouraging signs of change in 
Northern Ireland, the lingering bitterness of the troubles signals that 
the good work of Project Children will continue to be needed in the 
years ahead. As long as there is a need, I know that Project Children 
volunteers will be ready to embrace the children of Northern Ireland.
  All who have helped make this effort a success for the past 20 years 
are to be congratulated. Project Children and its many supporters have 
our best wishes for continued success.

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