[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 33 (Tuesday, March 12, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1885-S1886]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


          VALLEY HAVEN SCHOOL'S 20TH ANNIVERSARY HIKE/BIKE/RUN

 Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, I would like to take a moment and 
bring to my colleagues' attention the 20th anniversary of the Valley 
Haven School Hike-Bike-Run. The Valley Haven School, located in Valley, 
AL, is a school for mentally retarded and multiple handicapped citizens 
of all ages. Started 37 years ago by volunteers, the school is now 
professionally staffed and currently offers skilled training to 95 
students ranging in age from 3 months to 60 years.
  Mr. President, local monies of $100,000 must be raised each year to 
meet operating expenses and match State and Federal grants. The primary 
source of these funds is the annual Hike-Bike-Run, which consists of a 
5- or 10-mile walk, an 11- or 22-mile bike ride, a skate-a-thon, a 1-, 
3.1-, or 6.2-mile run, a 5-mile bike ride for children, and the trike 
trek for preschoolers.
  Each participant in the Hike-Bike-Run obtains pledges for their 
participation, and all proceeds go directly to Valley Haven to support 
the education and training for handicapped students. In 1995, this one 
day fundraiser involved over 1,000 participants and 8,000 pledging 
sponsors. The event generated over $100,000 in pledges to support the 
work of the school.
  Mr. President, I would like to congratulate and commend Valley Haven 
and the entire Valley community for

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displaying such strong support and concern for these special students. 
This year's Hike-Bike-Run will be held on Saturday, May 4, and I know 
that the community will once again unite to support this wonderful 
program and help Valley Haven School help its students.

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