[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 111 (Thursday, July 25, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H8525-H8526]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
REPORT FROM INDIANA: SHARES, INC.
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. But before I do, let me digress for 30 seconds and say I was
at the hearing at which the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Clinger]
chaired on the issue of the FBI files, and I share his recollection. I
also share his frustration that much of the testimony there seemed
incomplete, inaccurate, and perhaps intentionally so. I want to applaud
his efforts at being very judicious and thorough in getting to the
bottom of this.
When I was at home in my district, several people came up to me and
said: This is not a partisan matter. We are Democrats, but we want you
to get to the bottom of this because we fear there may have been a
grave breach of our civil liberties in this country by those actions.
So I think it is something that we should all, on both sides of the
aisle, support the effort to get all of the facts on the table as the
gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Clinger] has done in chairing that
committee.
parliamentary inquiry
Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, parliamentary inquiry.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Does the gentleman from Indiana yield to the
gentleman from New York?
Mr. McINTOSH. Yes, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I thought that it was the ruling of this
House that this issue was taken off of the floor so that we could
proceed rapidly in other matters. Was that the ruling of the Chair as
relates to the matter of the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Clinger]?
Mr. McINTOSH. Reclaiming my time, I have no further remarks about
that subject. Let me continue with my report from Indiana.
Mr. Speaker, every weekend I return home with my wife Ruthie to visit
wonderful people throughout the State of Indiana. They are the type of
people who are contributing to making our community strong, people that
I think of as Hoosier heroes. Why do I call them Hoosier heroes?
Because they are the type of people who go beyond the ordinary in order
to help build stronger communities in our State. We can all be proud to
call them our friends and our neighbors.
Today I want to commend the people who operate a company called
Shares, Inc., in Shelbyville. It is an operation which employs and
helps 300 handicapped, disabled, and mentally retarded individuals.
Dick Fero, who is a good friend of mine, brought me to Shares and
toured me through the plant over 3 years ago, and I was impressed with
the vast resources made available to help these people who have special
needs in Rush and Shelby Counties, everything from transportation,
recreation, counseling, adult education, and speech therapy.
The true success of Shares is found in the hearts and souls of the
employees, the workers and the volunteer board of directors. Their
hearts and souls unconditionally give their time, energy, and love to
help these very special people.
People like Judy Weaver, who has worked there as the work manager for
12 years. Judy takes care of these people by making sure that their job
on the line--they are performing light assembly and other services--is
something that they can do in order to enrich their lives. She is tops
at what she does. So is Arnie Petrie, who is another dedicated employee
of Shares.
The key thing in Shares, Inc., is that they are willing to put people
to work who ordinarily would not be able to receive a job in the
marketplace. If you take a tour of Shares, you can see the happiness
and the pride in the faces of those people who are working there,
because they have a chance to earn a living and take care of
themselves.
Success stories are wide and deep. Take 25-year-old Angela Woolen of
Shelbyville. She is mildly handicapped, and yet she has been able to
get a job at the Pizza Hut and the local library because of her work
experience at Shares, Inc. Perhaps her success in the real work
environment can be found in her own words: ``I am not different from
anyone else. I want to get my job done right. Independence is the most
important thing to me.''
In addition to their services for the handicapped, the folk at Shares
provide them with real jobs and training that helps them in their
lives. Everyone wins: the staff, the mentally ill, the handicapped
workers.
The folks at Shares are doing good things. They see that these people
who are less fortunate than the rest of us have a chance and are not
forgotten. Indeed, they set an example for the rest of us that we reach
out, lend a helping hand, and that we show our love for those people
who cannot always care for themselves. Everyone involved with Shares is
a Hoosier hero.
Mr. Speaker, that concludes my report from Indiana.
jeremy rathburn
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give my report from Indiana. So often,
people share with me amazing stories about their friends and family.
Stories about good citizens doing good deeds. These people make our
communities a better place.
Those that reside in the 2d Congressional District of Indiana, I have
termed ``Hoosier Heroes.''
Hoosier Heroes because they set examples for us all to live by.
Today, I'd like to share with you the story of a 10-year-old Hoosier
Hero from Greensburg, IN.
[[Page H8526]]
Jeremy Rathburn, a graduate of Washington Elementary. He enjoys
basketball, soccer, rollerblading, and trading cards, just as all kids
his age do.
What sets him apart is something most kids, as well as adults, would
not do.
It is so unique, in fact, that his aunt contacted our office. She
said, ``Jeremy is a real good boy and I'm proud of him. I thought he
should be recognized.'' And indeed he should. Jeremy turned in $250
that he found on the floor of McDonald's.
The Greensburg Police Department returned the money to the rightful
owner and recognized Jeremy's honesty in front of his classmates.
Jeremy also received a reward from the owner of the money, a
certificate from Mayor Shel Smith, and McDonald's gift certificates.
Today, we only hear about the problems surrounding the youth of
society--drugs, crime, violence.
It is truly comforting to hear stories of honesty, integrity, and
good deed.
Children are taught the difference between right and wrong.
Jeremy Rathburn recognized that difference and I am pleased to
recognize him for his virtuous behavior. That, Mr. Speaker, concludes
my report from Indiana.
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