[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 110 (Wednesday, August 10, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 10, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE JEWISH BIG BROTHER & BIG SISTER ASSOCIATION OF 
                             GREATER BOSTON

                                 ______


                           HON. BARNEY FRANK

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, August 10, 1994

  Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, on November 4 of this year, 
the Jewish Big Brother & Big Sister Association of Greater Boston will 
celebrate its 75th anniversary. This valuable organization, which has 
served thousands of needy children over the years of its existence, is 
the oldest organization of its kind in Massachusetts, and one of the 
oldest in the country.
  When it was founded, the association did not have extensive 
resources, but the founders had a great commitment and dedication to 
bringing disadvantaged, parentless youngsters into the mainstream of 
society. Initially, the program--one of the 13 original Big Brother 
groups which established the national association--focused on the needs 
of delinquent boys. Over the years, in addition to broadening its focus 
to include the challenges faced by young girls, the Jewish Big Brother 
& Big Sister Association of Greater Boston expanded its services to 
include family advocacy, crisis intervention, college scholarships, and 
family discussion groups. Throughout its 75 years, the Association has 
consistently provided troubled youth with positive role models and 
mentors, and it now serves some 200 children a year, primarily those 
living in single parent families.
  Mr. Speaker, this lengthy history of contributing to the community by 
encouraging young people to excel to the best of their ability both 
academically and socially is obviously valuable in and of itself. But, 
the organization also provides a valuable collateral benefit to its 
adult volunteers. Offering adults who wish to give something back to 
their community the chance to engage in the rewarding work of fostering 
positive growth in young people often leads the volunteers to find more 
meaning in their own lives. This combined impact makes the work of the 
Jewish Big Brother & Big Sister Association of Greater Boston doubly 
important. For its valuable contributions over the last 75 years and 
for demonstrating that the spirit of volunteerism is alive and well 
today, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Association's 
service to the community and in looking ahead to the next 75 years.

                          ____________________