[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 92 (Thursday, June 20, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1119]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     PRESIDENT VISITS YOUNG RESIDENTS OF HOMELESS SHELTER IN MOSCOW

                                 ______


                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 19, 1996

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise to note and commend the 
President for taking the time during his recent trip to Moscow to meet 
with, and encourage the work of Alexander Ogorodnikov, a former 
political prisoner and founder of the Christian Mercy Society. 
Alexander Ogorodnikov established a private shelter for young homeless 
from all over Russia who find themselves on the streets of Moscow 
without a roof over their heads. During the Moscow G-7 Nuclear Security 
Summit in April, President Clinton visited a number of the residents of 
the shelter.
  Naturally, Mr. Ogorodnikov's work has been very challenging. After 70 
years of communism, the institution of private charity has been slow to 
make a comeback. Resources are scarce; property rights are unclear. 
Bureaucrats often seem more determined to stifle than assist private 
initiative. Criminal structures would prefer that idle hands look in 
the direction of criminal activity for sustenance and livelihood. 
Nevertheless, Mr. Ogorodnikov has persisted. His efforts have been 
reported and applauded by the Moscow press, and Mayor Luzkkov's office 
has been supportive of his work. Some international organizations are 
providing a measure of assistance.
  As Moscow was preparing for the Summit, Mr. Ogorodnikov had invited 
President Clinton to visit the Christian Mercy Society shelter to 
observe private charity in action in Russia. This request was forwarded 
through the Beautiful Hearts charitable organization of Erie, PA, and 
by many Members of the Congress of both parties. For logistical and 
security reasons, the President was unable to visit the shelter itself, 
but Mr. Ogorodnikov and his Beautiful Hearts associates had arranged an 
exhibit about the shelter at a Moscow hotel where the President had 
other meetings scheduled. Despite the heavy demands on his schedule, 
President Clinton graciously visited the exhibit and met with some of 
the young residents.
  Mr. Speaker, the G-7 Nuclear Security Summit was about providing 
nuclear safety in our uneasy world, about governments cooperating with 
one another to reduce danger to millions of people. Security can also 
be a function of mutual understanding and having genuine concern--even 
across borders--for other human beings, one for another. By visiting 
the young people of the Christian Mercy Society shelter, President 
Clinton exhibited that concern on behalf of all of us here in the 
United States, and I appreciate his kind gesture.

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