[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 87 (Wednesday, May 24, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1110-E1111]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     TRIBUTE TO CATHOLIC CHARITIES

                                 ______


                          HON. BRUCE F. VENTO

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 23, 1995
  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the success of a 
volunteer organization that has served the Twin Cities community since 
1869. This year the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of St. Paul 
and Minneapolis is celebrating its 125th year providing social services 
to Twin Cities area residents in need.
  Catholic Charities began with a commitment and desire to help the 
most vulnerable residents of the community, the children. In the late 
1800's, events such as the Civil War and epidemics added to the already 
harsh pioneer life leaving many children without parents. Trying to do 
what they could to help, a group from Assumption parish in St. Paul 
organized a small orphanage to care for six Germanic 
[[Page E1111]] children who met this fate. Soon after its 
establishment, the facility was moved to accommodate more children, and 
it grew into what is now St. Joseph's Home for Children.
  Catholic Charities has retained its focus on children throughout the 
years, yet at the same time, it has expanded to include other residents 
of the community in need of assistance. The organization runs emergency 
shelters and temporary housing facilities for homeless individuals and 
families. They operate job training programs to help people gain 
skills, find work, and become self-sufficient. They also help educate 
the broad community by distributing information and providing 
counseling on health issues such as AIDS, mental illness, and substance 
abuse. Catholic Charities acknowledges the diversity of the Twin Cities 
area by including programs to help immigrants and their families become 
and remain self-supporting. These and other programs help citizens in 
the Twin Cities community get back on their feet and enjoy a better 
quality of life.
  Today, however, the fate of Catholic Charities and other similar 
organizations is uncertain. In a time when budgets are being cut and 
many social programs are on the chopping block, volunteer organizations 
like Catholic Charities will become an even more vital part of the Twin 
Cities community. Limiting both government and charitable organizations 
from helping the citizens of our community that are in need is a 
disastrous formula for both the Twin Cities and the nation.
  For 125 years, the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of St. Paul 
and Minneapolis has supported the Twin Cities community, lending a 
helping hand to those in need. They not only give shelter, educational 
information, and training to the people they help, they give something 
even more powerful and important; they give them hope. Hope that they 
can build a better life and a secure future for themselves and their 
families. I am proud of the work that all of Catholic Charities' staff 
and volunteers do on a daily basis to make a difference in the lives of 
so many people. They have made our Twin Cities, St. Paul-Minneapolis, a 
strong foundation for families and especially people in need.


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