[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 11 (Friday, January 26, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S525-S526]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           CHRISTMAS IN APRIL

 Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, as a member of the National 
Advisory Board of a special outreach program called Christmas in April, 
I am extremely proud to speak to you today about a tremendously 
generous group of people who deliver Christmas spirit to low-income 
families during the spring.
  With the support of honorary cochairs, NFL Commissioner Paul 
Tagliabue, his wife Chan, along with Arizona first lady Ann Symington, 
Christmas in April, the Nation's largest volunteer home rehabilitation 
initiative, kicks off its 1996 campaign by rebuilding the homes of two 
families in Phoenix's Hermosa neighborhood during Super Bowl weekend.
  The focus of this charity is rebuilding and repairing the homes of 
low-income, elderly, and disabled Americans to help provide warmth, 
safety, and independence to families in need.
  Many needy homeowners will receive this assistance in April 1996, 
when an army of about 140,000 caring volunteers will arrive on the 
doorsteps of about 4,200 homeowners in 430 cities and towns across the 
country.
  Thanks to the hard work of these volunteers, Christmas in April has 
expanded to 160 local affiliates in 44 

[[Page S526]]
States which contribute $25 million toward home repairs for 
disadvantaged Americans across the country.
  So at this time, Mr. President, I wish to pay tribute to the 
compassion and commitment of Christmas In April volunteers all across 
this Nation. Each time a grab bar is installed for a disabled child, 
every time sturdy stairs are built for an aged widow, and a fresh coat 
of paint is applied for a needy family--hope and dignity are restored.
  Mr. President, this kind of unfailing generosity and kindness are the 
lifeblood of our country, and once again I commend this group and its 
volunteers.

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