[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 82 (Thursday, June 6, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H5978-H5979]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HOOSIER HERO--SHELBY COUNTY YOUTH SHELTER

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Indiana [Mr. McIntosh] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. McINTOSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give my Report from 
Indiana. Every weekend, my wife Ruthie and I travel the Second District 
of Indiana. So often we meet good people doing good things. These 
individuals strive day and night to make a difference. It's their hard-
work and dedication that make our communities a better place. In my 
book, these individuals are Hoosier Heros. Hoosier Heros because it's 
their mission in life to reach out and lend a helping hand to their 
friends and neighbors.
  Today Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize Judy Runnebohm, Ola Smith, 
the 19 member staff and 22 board members of the Shelby County Youth 
Shelter as Hoosier Heros.
  Now, Judy is a good friend of mine and she has shared with me on 
many, many visits to Shelby County about her efforts to help troubled 
teens
  Under Ola Smith's leadership as the director and Judy's leadership as 
the safe place coordinator, the youth center has provided help to 
hundreds of children--runaways, homeless, and misguided youths.
  For nearly two-thirds of these children, their lives have been turned 
around and they have been given hope for better lives. One young girl, 
Danielle, who stayed at the shelter shared her story: ``When I was 12-
years-old, I was a holy-terror. My step father mentally, physically and 
sexually abused me. I began to drink and get into a lot of trouble.'' 
Danielle wanted to turn her father in but he threatened to kill her. 
Finally 3 years later she turned him in. And she was placed into the 
shelter because he still roamed the streets. There, Danielle received 
the love she needed. Now today, at age 18, she is working, living on 
her own, and supporting herself. She is taking charge of her own 
future. And to this day she is telling others, like her, that if she 
didn't get placed in the shelter she would have turned to alcohol and 
drugs.
  There are so many more touching stories from the young people who 
stay at the shelter. These are the so-called `bad' children that 
society wants to over-look. Not too many folks will say: ``Hey, I want 
to help the kids from the Juvenile Halls,'' but if we don't help these 
children now, who will?
  At the Shelby County Youth Shelter, children receive a safe place to 
stay. And caring and sturdy hands are there to guide them through the 
rocky waters of their adolescence and sometimes, lonely and troubling 
times.
  Mr. Speaker, Judy, Ola, the 19 workers and 22 board members at the 
Shelby County Youth Shelter are Hoosier Heros for this week.
  Mr. Speaker, if I may, I'd like to include in my report from Indiana 
an inspiring story that a young intern shared with me about a young 
lady who has beaten the odds, because of her personal courage. That 
person is Jody Kammer.
  Jody, an 18-year-old from my hometown Muncie, is known throughout 
Delaware County for her awesome ability to play volleyball. She spent 
many school days and weekends practicing and playing in tournaments, as 
well as playing volleyball for her school, Yorktown.
  Jody was a member of the Munciana Volleyball Club which is an inner 
city team that travels throughout the Midwest. As a member of the club, 
she spent her summers traveling and playing in tournaments because of 
her love and dedication to the sport.

[[Page H5979]]

  Jody has become an inspiration for her teammates, and all of us 
because of her struggle with a personal tragedy in her life. Last 
spring, Jody was diagnosed with hodgkin's disease. This form of cancer 
is not necessarily fatal with the proper treatments. But it requires a 
great deal of courage and strength to beat the disease. Jody Kammer had 
this strength and courage.
  Once a month, Jody had to go for chemotherapy. She was left feeling 
weak, sick to her stomach, and sometimes it seemed overwhelming. She 
still challenged herself to keep on playing, no matter how tired or 
weak she became. Even when she was too sick, Jody still attended 
practices to help encourage the rest of her team.
  Jody Kammer never gave up during her lengthy treatments. She had the 
courage to never give in. Jody knows the true meaning of teamwork.

  Thanks to the support and prayers of her friends and family, miracles 
of modern medicine to fight the cancer, along with her own courage, she 
successfully fought the disease and it is now in remission. I am happy 
to report that Jody was able to participate in Yorktown High School's 
graduation ceremony. She has also been able to return to the normal 
club schedule for the remainder of the playing season.
  In the fall, Jody will continue her education as a freshman at 
Colorado College.
  Jody Kammer is an inspiring young lady, who has overcome a tremendous 
hurdle. Jody's bout with cancer is a story for all of us to remember. 
Her hard work and determination displays how one young lady's courage 
can give hope in following one's dreams.
  Mr. Speaker, that is my report from Indiana. One of courage and hope. 
One of helping others less fortunate. To have hope for a better life.

         Staff and Board Members of Shelby County Youth Shelter

       Don Passwater, President, Michael Vaught, Vice-President, 
     William Ancil, Treasurer, Judy Michael, Secretary, James 
     Beyer, Rita Mohr, Marilyn Bushfield, Floyd Montgomery, Lynn 
     Fishburn, Mike Gerrish, Mary Jo Phares, Doug Heighway, Rev. 
     Alan Rumble, Sheriff Michael Herndon, Phil Kaster, Jerry Lux, 
     Michael Whitfield, Mary McQueen, Mary Bertotti, and Richard 
     Craft.
       Kelly Frazier, Betty Goff, Tisha Harrod, Teddy Holloway, 
     Susan Hood, Odas Kaster, Cara Lian, Kathy Marsischke, Shirley 
     Martin, Melinda Moore, William Newton, Gloria Richey, Judy 
     Runnebohm, Maggie Scott, Carol Shaw, Ola Smith, Auda Tevis, 
     and Rhonda Van Gorden.

                          ____________________