[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 146 (Saturday, October 8, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


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

 
 AID ASSOCIATION FOR LUTHERANS: NEIGHBOR HELPING 
                                NEIGHBOR

                                 ______


                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 7, 1994

  Mr. BARCIA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, in this time of budgetary 
difficulty that limits what assistance the Federal Government can 
provide to people in need, it is both encouraging and heart-warming to 
learn of organizations like the Aid Association for Lutherans. This 
ninety-two-year-old organization through its nearly 8,600 branches and 
1.6 million members, in its own words, concentrates on a wide range of 
charitable, educational, social, benevolent, fraternal and patriotic 
programs.
  With over 112,000 members in Michigan, the AAL is one of the most 
important support groups in our State. Its efforts on behalf of the 
victims of the terrible flood that moved through the Midwest last year 
were vital to their sense of survival. The $3.5 million provided 
through AAL's Helping Hands program provided much more than its mere 
monetary value--it provided hope and reassurance to people who saw 
their lives being shredded by nature's fury. The work performed by the 
AAL volunteers who came to the flooded communities demonstrated that 
hands-on assistance is so very meaningful to people in their time of 
need.
  Similar assistance was also provided to the victims of Hurricane 
Andrew, who were the beneficiaries of the opportunities for friendship 
created by that natural disaster.
  Mr. Speaker, according to reports prepared by the Aid Association for 
Lutherans, over 3.5 million hours of work was provided by AAL members 
and their friends on behalf of the many projects that were undertaken. 
Helping people pay their bills, get to the grocery store, building a 
wheelchair ramp at the church, landscaping and other seemingly simple 
but vitally important acts of kindness were performed by AAL members.
  People constantly ask what has happened to the American spirit. 
Whatever happened to neighbor helping neighbor? Doesn't anyone care 
enough to lend a hand? All of these questions are so fully, graciously, 
and beautifully answered by the work done by the Aid Association for 
Lutherans. It will be my privilege to be with many Michigan members 
later this month at their annual dinner. It is my hope that I can come 
away with a portion of the inspiration that guides these wonderful 
people in acts that we should each take more time to perform. Our world 
can be a better place if we emulate people who care, people who give of 
themselves, and people who know how to give thanks through their own 
deeds--the members of the Aid Association for Lutherans.

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