[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 27, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E216-E217]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       COMMENDING MONTGOMERY COUNTY CHURCHES FOR FAITH IN ACTION

                                 ______


                        HON. ALBERT RUSSELL WYNN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 27, 1996

  Mr. WYNN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend a wonderful project 
going on in my district that is helping children with disabilities. The 
Easter Seal Society and a group of Montgomery County churches have 
created a Faith in Action project that will help youngsters living with 
disabilities, along with their families.

[[Page E217]]

  What is Faith in Action? It is a program funded by the Robert Wood 
Johnson Foundation that helps religious congregations and social 
service agencies create community volunteer service projects aimed at 
families, elderly persons, and children. The Easter Seal Society for 
Disabled Children and Adults will work with seven churches, a school, 
the Montgomery County Department of Disability Services, and Catholic 
Charities on this effort.
  The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has awarded hundreds of Faith in 
Action grants to organizations all over the country. Volunteers target 
families and offer to help in any way they can. In Montgomery County, 
this can be offering to take a child to the park, drive a youngster in 
a wheelchair to the doctor, or care for youngsters while parents take a 
much needed break. In the Washington, DC, region, over 30,000 children 
under 5 years of age are at risk for developing a disability. That's 
over a 1,000 classrooms of kindergartners. Also, because of advanced 
technology, infants born prematurely and with birth defects have a much 
better chance of survival today than in years past. Often, however, 
they will need long-term care.
  Volunteers from Takoma Park Presbyterian Church and St. Matthew's 
United Presbyterian Church are good listeners, they have comfortable 
laps, and are wonderful huggers. They love to read and tell stories and 
to sing. They can help feed a child or practice speech therapy 
exercises, take siblings to the playground, accompany fearful parents 
to their child's medical appointments, and help advocate for the child. 
One of the most valuable things a volunteer gives a family is the gift 
of time and respite for harried parents.
  When children are diagnosed with a disability, parents often struggle 
by themselves. Parents need the right support to insure that their 
child is receiving the proper medical care, therapy and education. Too 
many families don't know where to turn. Now, Easter Seals and a group 
of churches in my district want to help. I congratulate them and wish 
them good luck.

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