[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 158 (Thursday, October 12, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1932-E1933]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         LUTHERAN BROTHERHOOD SERVES COMMUNITIES ACROSS AMERICA

                                 ______


                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 12, 1995

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, today I want to publicly salute and give 
thanks to Lutheran 

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Brotherhood, which has been doing outstanding work in the area of 
voluntarism throughout the United States and in Michigan since 1917.
  Lutheran Brotherhood is a religious fraternal benefit society that 
embraces values often ignored in these modern times, but which are 
essential to creating a society that values people and takes care of 
one another in our time of need. I am talking about old-fashioned 
virtues like philanthropy, voluntarism, Christian fellowship, and self-
reliance. With over 1 million volunteers nationwide, Lutheran 
Brotherhood is able to reach millions of individuals at the grassroots 
level, and make a positive difference in their lives. At this time, I 
would like to properly acknowledge these volunteers for their 
incredible enthusiasm and diligence in helping others.
  Through its Friends in Deed and Care and Share programs, Lutheran 
Brotherhood helps the poor and needy find shelter, food, and clothing. 
The organization is also active in providing disaster relief assistance 
to communities across the country, including families whose homes were 
devastated by the river floodings across the Midwest, and in the 
aftermath of the Oklahoma city bombing.
  Finally, Lutheran Brotherhood has found enormous success in its 
RespecTeen program, which gives young people a healthy and encouraging 
environment in which to grow and prosper. The RespecTeen service 
projects work in tandem with the RespecTeen program by encouraging 
teens to get involved in their communities and perform volunteer work. 
The Speak for Yourself program, which encourages 8th grade students to 
learn about and participate in the American political process, is one 
example of RespecTeen.
  Lutheran Brotherhood's Saginaw Valley Branch No. 8186 has been 
especially active in making our community a better place to live. In 
particular, they have given their resources to Valley Lutheran High 
School, Camp Lu Lay Lea and the Lutheran Child and Family Service, 
among other organizations. In total, Lutheran Brotherhood's financial 
contributions to the Saginaw area for 1994 reached $30,000. I am very 
grateful to have such a dynamic and committed group like Lutheran 
Brotherhood in my district and proud to recognize their achievements 
today.

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