[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 154 (Friday, September 29, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1888]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TIP OF THE HAT TO A 31ST DISTRICT VOLUNTEER

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                           HON. AMO HOUGHTON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 29, 1995

  Mr. HOUGHTON. Mr. Speaker, every so often, a member of our society 
goes far beyond the normal call of duty, and deserves special 
recognition. One of my constituents, John Van Wicklin, is such a 
person.
  In November of 1994, John shared with me his vision of holding a 
weeklong summer camping program for abused and neglected children in 
rural Allegany County--one of the poorest counties in New York State, 
if not the Nation. He set up a chapter of the Royal Family Kids' Camp 
[RFKC], a nonprofit organization founded by Wayne Tesch of Costa Mesa, 
CA.
  The main objectives of RFKC are to provide abused and neglected 
children (ages 6-12) with a safe haven from the horrors of abuse, a 
fun-filled week, a host of positive memories and role models, and a 
context of basic Christian values. His goal was to raise $11,000 to 
cover the costs of running the camp. Whatever he couldn't raise, he was 
prepared to pay out of his own pocket.
  John worked directly with Commissioner Joan Sinclair, Ben Fanton and 
others in the Allegany County Department of Social Services to identify 
the 28 hardest cases in the county's system. As they identified these 
children, the hard work of raising the necessary dollars and recruiting 
volunteers of all different backgrounds and interests began.
  Scores of people answered the call by volunteering their time, energy 
and resources to make John's vision a reality. People from all walks of 
life pitched in--many community members donated materials; a local 
medical doctor, Doug Mayhle, took time out of his busy schedule to be a 
camp counselor; a player from the Buffalo Bills signed autographs and 
sent a message to each kid; and the faculty, staff, administration and 
students of Houghton College were a huge help. Also, thanks to many 
gracious donors, his financial goal was comfortably surpassed.
  In the end, everyone's hard work paid off, and the camp was a 
tremendous success. John sent me a letter in July of 1995, to relay a 
story from the camp. There are many stories. Each one starts with a 
young child who was in some way denied part of his or her childhood. 
Each story ends with a child who was given the chance to be a kid 
again, in an environment without the terror of being physically, 
sexually, or mentally abused. Children with dreadful worries--much 
greater than any child should ever have--were seen laughing and smiling 
with other children of similar backgrounds, and a group of dedicated 
adults whom they learned to trust.
  John plans to hold another camp in 1996, and increase his budget to 
accommodate more children. From what I understand, people are already 
lining up at John's doorstep to get involved.
  Mr. Speaker, my hat's off to John Van Wicklin. I hop you and all of 
my colleagues here in Congress will join me in saluting him and the 
many friends and volunteers of the Royal Family Kids' Camps around the 
Nation. Their spirit and dedication are much appreciated.

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