[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 79 (Friday, May 12, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6600-S6601]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      CONGRATULATING ANGALENA RHUE

  Mr. HOLLINGS. Mr. President, I rise to congratulate Angalena Rhue on 
winning the 1995 President's Service Award, the Nation's highest honor 
for volunteers. President Clinton presented Ms. Rhue this outstanding 
award on April 27 for her unselfish commitment to helping hundreds of 
Charleston area kids stay off drugs.
  Angalena Rhue is special in her pursuit because she knows what drug 
addictions can do to a person. Just 6 years ago, this same woman was a 
crack cocaine addict. Now, not only has she conquered her addiction, 
but she has developed a program, ITEC--Infiltrate the Enemy Camp, to 
ensure that today's youth don't fall prey to the same mistakes.
  Angalena is quite a self-starter. What began as a small project in 
her own community in Summerville has now expanded into three counties 
to serve low-income children ages 4 through 19. 
 [[Page S6601]] The program builds self-esteem and stresses the 
importance of staying in school and staying off drugs. ITEC offers 
afterschool tutoring to children, assistance in job searches, and 
requires parents to attend sessions to learn positive reinforcement 
techniques.
  Mr. President, I hear a lot of talk about what we, as citizens of the 
United States, can do to have a positive impact on the next generation, 
the children of today. I offer Angalena Rhue as a shining example. She 
has taken what could have been a negative experience, her drug 
addiction, and turned it into something positive for the children of 
South Carolina. She will have an immeasurable impact on our society. 
Through her efforts more children will turn away from drugs and 
continue their education.
  It gives me great pleasure to join the President of the United States 
in recognizing a fellow South Carolinian for being 1 of 18 volunteers 
awarded this prestigious honor for truly making a difference in this 
country.
  Recently, the State in South Carolina's capital city, Columbia, 
recognized Angalena Rhue for her award. I ask unanimous consent that 
the article be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the article was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                [From the State, Friday, Apr. 28, 1995]

         Clinton Awards South Carolina Woman for Volunteer Work

                           (By Charles Pope)

       Washington.--Six years ago, Angalena Rhue of Summerville 
     was addicted to crack cocaine, caught in a spiral that was 
     dragging her downward.
       Thursday, the 38-year-old Rhue was at the White House, 
     receiving an award from President Clinton for not only 
     turning her own life around, but the lives of hundreds of 
     low-income kids in the Charleston area.
       Rhue was one of 18 Americans to be awarded the President's 
     Service Award, the nation's highest honor for those who 
     ``engage in voluntary community service addressing unmet 
     human needs.''
       Rhue was selected from 3,000 nominees for founding ITEC--
     Infiltrate the Enemy Camp. ITEC provides tutoring and 
     assistance to children and parents living in low-income 
     housing projects. What began as a small effort in the Haven 
     Oaks apartments in Summerville after Rhue kicked drugs, has 
     now expanded to four locations in three counties, serving 
     more than 400 children from age 4 through 19.
       ``It's exciting, it's overwhelming. I thought I was going 
     to faint,'' said an effervescent Rhue after receiving her 
     silver medallion in a sunsplashed Rose Garden ceremony.
       ``When we first see these kids, there's a sense of 
     helplessness, and apathy. But now these kids are soaring and 
     there's no holding them back.''
       In the hourlong ceremony, Clinton praised the volunteers 
     whose work becomes even more important in a time of national 
     crisis.
       ``Just over a week ago we were reminded that there are 
     those who want to see our nation torn apart,'' Clinton said. 
     ``But amid the grief and the destruction we have also seen 
     how quickly the overwhelming majority of Americans come 
     together to help each other to rebuild and to make this 
     country stronger.
       ``Today we'll hear stories of ordinary Americans doing 
     extraordinary things.
       ``They repair our parks and keep our young people out of 
     gangs. They come from all corners of the nation. They are 
     diverse in age and background. Yet they are united by 
     something larger than all of us--the simple desire to fulfill 
     the promise of American life,'' the President said before 
     awarding the 18 medals.
       Rhue's home-grown program is based on restoring self-esteem 
     to children who have few role models and little parental 
     guidance. Her programs require the children to read each day, 
     help them with their homework, provide help finding jobs and 
     reinforce the need to stay in school and avoid drugs.
       ``I want to save the whole would from drugs,'' said Rhue, 
     whose job is made easier by her natural affinity to children, 
     her endless energy and her personal experiences.
       Rhue also requires parents to attend at least four sessions 
     a year so they can learn how to reinforce the gains their 
     children are making. She also combats verbal abuse that 
     parents direct to their children and instructs parents how to 
     work with teachers so that children get the most out of 
     school.
       Rhue's crusade started when she realized she could help and 
     when children started showing up at her doorstep. The manager 
     of her apartment complex soon offered the club house and 
     before the first year ended, 37 kids were coming each day.
       Relying on her own instincts, a talent for attracting 
     donations, volunteers and help from such quarters as Clemson 
     Extension Service and the College of Charleston, her programs 
     have spread to low-income housing projects in North 
     Charleston, the City of Charleston and Moncks Corner. Those 
     four centers serve more than 400 children. Officials in 
     Orangeburg, Columbia and other municipalities in South 
     Carolina have asked her about the program.
       And on Thursday, Hillary Clinton told Rhue she would like 
     to come see the program in person.
       When Rhue awakes today, she will be able to celebrate her 
     presidential award, and more importantly, an anniversary, Six 
     years ago today, she weaned herself from cocaine.
     

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