[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 106 (Tuesday, June 27, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1333]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


              RECOGNITION OF ORLANDO YARBOROUGH AND GROUP

                                 ______


                      HON. ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR.

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 27, 1995
  Mr. EHRLICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to publicly recognize an 
outstanding group of people in my district. Because of the great number 
of outstanding citizens in the Second District of Maryland, I am 
hesitant to single out one particular example. This group, however, has 
been selected for a great honor on behalf of the United States, and 
should be so recognized.
  Mr. Orlando Yarborough works with at-risk youngsters in the Essex-
Middle River area of Baltimore County. This area is a very strong, 
working class area that has been slow to recover from the most recent 
recession. Therefore, opportunities for young people to get involved in 
programs that give them self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment are 
critical.
  Mr. Yarborough developed an after school personal power package for 
kids. Participants sign a contract to improve their bodies as well as 
their minds in activities done at the Body Mechanics Family Fitness 
Center. The program encompasses academic and physical exercises, 
community service, and a discussion of personal improvement. The 
contract also specifies that participants will not smoke, fight, use 
profane language, nor use drugs or alcohol.
  The program has the enthusiastic support and financial backing of 
many local business and community groups, as well as prominent members 
of the community at large.
  Mr. Speaker, recently Mr. Yarborough's group was selected to attend 
ceremonies commemorating the 1,500th anniversary of the founding of the 
Shaolin Temple in mainland China. The selection was based on the 
program's emphasis on discipline, perseverance, and character 
development. They are the only U.S. citizens to be invited to this very 
historic event. While in China, the team will be training, performing 
demonstrations, speaking at local schools, and generally acting as good 
will ambassadors of the United States. They will be introducing 
American ideas and culture to their hosts as well as bringing some of 
China's rich culture and heritage back to share with their friends and 
families.
  This, Mr. Speaker, is what I want America to stand for: kids who take 
the responsibility to constructively improve themselves and their 
communities without turning to the evils of substance abuse or crime. 
Similarly, we should honor adults like Mr. Yarborough who care enough 
about their communities and their kids to put forth the effort in 
making programs like this work.
  Mr. Speaker, I could not be more proud of Mr. Yarborough and his 
kids. They are our future. And I want to recognize Mr. Yarborough and 
everyone else connected with this noble endeavor. The sacrifices made 
by the community on behalf of each child will pay many dividends in the 
form of productive, well-rounded citizens.


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