[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 92 (Thursday, June 20, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S6625]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO MSGR. THOMAS KEYS ON THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS ORDINATION 
                       AS A ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST

 Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
founder of the National Scrip Center, Msgr. Tom Keys, on the 25th 
anniversary of his ordination as a Roman Catholic priest. Monsignor 
Keys founded the National Scrip Center in 1986 to help save a Catholic 
high school that was facing a quarter of a million dollars worth of 
debt. The National Scrip Center provides an innovative gift certificate 
program to help schools and nonprofit organizations generate revenues 
for their programs.
  Monsignor Keys has given numerous nonprofit organizations across the 
country opportunities to expand and succeed through the money they 
raise from scrip. Since 1986, Monsignor Keys' Scrip Center has grown 
steadily and now helps over 5,000 organizations across the country. I 
congratulate Monsignor Keys for all his hard work over the years in 
establishing scrip which has become a vital program for so many 
nonprofit groups. His entrepreneurial spirit has brought community 
nonprofit groups and businesses together in a remarkable show of unity. 
He is a role model for all of us to follow.
  The National Scrip Center's education, training and fundraising 
support services have helped a network of 5,700 neighborhood Catholic, 
Jewish and Protestant private, parochial, and public schools and 
nonprofit affiliates in more than 30 States.
  Under Monsignor Keys' leadership, the center empowers nonprofits to 
help themselves generate operating funds. One of his primary goals is 
to provide children and young people with opportunities for affordable 
quality education. The Scrip Center was first started at the St. 
Vincent's Parish in Petaluma, CA. Now, the national center is a network 
of nonprofits raising money for important causes, provides a customer 
service department, software for marketing and accounting purposes and 
other services.
  I congratulate Monsignor Keys for his vision and determination. The 
National Scrip Center is a remarkable symbol of his 25 years of 
dedication to his community as a Roman Catholic priest. I am proud of 
his efforts and commend his inspiration to nonprofit organizations 
across the country. He has touched so many lives in the process. Best 
wishes to Monsignor Keys on his 25th anniversary as a spiritual leader, 
and I wish him continued prosperity, happiness, and blessings as the 
scrip network of nonprofit organizations continues to grow.

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