[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 108 (Thursday, June 29, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H6650]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                              {time}  2300
                         A REPORT FROM INDIANA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Smith of Michigan). Under a previous 
order of the House, the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. McIntosh] is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. McINTOSH. Mr. Speaker, from time to time I would like to share 
with my colleagues in the House a report on what I learn when Ruthie 
and I go home to Indiana each weekend--a Report from Indiana if you 
will.
  This weekend I had the privilege of attending the ``promise keeper 
men's conference.'' We have talked a great deal about how this new 
Republican Congress is keeping our promises made to the American people 
to change Washington by reducing the size and scope of the Federal 
Government cutting taxes and balancing the budget.
  This conference was about keeping promises at a much more fundamental 
level.
  And the results are phenomenal 62,000 men came from throughout the 
midwest to the Hoosierdome in downtown Indianapolis to reaffirm their 
faith and their commitment to their families.
  There is nothing quite like joining in with 62,000 men singing church 
campfire songs at the top of their lungs.
  Tony Evans--who was chaplain to the Dallas Cowboys--spoke about how 
committed individuals are the building blocks of our society.
  When we keep our promise to live the standards of our faith, we 
become leaders. As strong individuals we can lead our family--and pass 
on these values to our children. Strong families make up healthy 
communities--where we live out the commandment to love our neighbors 
and ourselves. And, Tony Evans pointed out healthy communities are the 
building blocks of good States and good States build strong Nation. A 
United States, committed to the moral principles that have always made 
our country strong, will lead the world and establish freedom for all 
mankind.
  I was profoundly struck by Tony Evans' message--as I realized that 
each of us, by keeping faith with promises we make are an integral part 
to restoring, strengthening, and building the American dream.
  And I was even more profoundly struck on Sunday morning when I 
attended a 25th wedding celebration of two friends who have and are 
living out this principle.
  Anne and Max Smith invited their friends to join them at a service at 
Westfield Friends Meeting, a quaint little county church just outside 
Hagerstown, IN.
  Max is a full time farmer; Anne works at the local welfare office 
helping children.
 They both have a strong faith that has been the touchstone of their 
busy lives. On that faith they built a strong family--raising two 
children, Brent and Shellio, of their own.

  Their strong family let them reach out to help others in their 
community. At a testimonial lunch after the service, three different 
young people spoke about how Max and Anne had ``adopted them'' into 
their family and given them a chance in life.
  Max serves the community as county commissioner, spending countless 
hours worrying about county services, from fixing back roads in rural 
Wayne County to administering relief to the poor.
  Anne and Max have both been promise keepers. Their commitment has 
made their church, their community, their county, the State of Indiana, 
and America a better place to live. And I was honored to be a small 
part of their celebration of 25 years of marriage.
  Mr. Speaker, that's the report from Indiana for this week.
  

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