[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 128 (Tuesday, September 17, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1625]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING THE EL PORTAL WOMEN'S CLUB ON THEIR 50TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. CARRIE P. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 17, 1996

  Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, September 17, 1996, 
to recognize the achievements of the El Portal Women's Club on the 
occasion of their 50th anniversary. For half a century, its members and 
their friends have worked to make the village of El Portal a better 
place in which to live.
  In 1946, soon after the end of World War II, national optimism ran 
high. Men and women were uniting to forge a new homefront and community 
pride meant to them a great deal. It was at this time that the El 
Portal Women's Club set out on their great adventure. The 200 charter 
members of the organization came into being before El Portal had either 
its own police station or city hall. In fact, with no other funding 
available, the group raised much of the funding necessary to build such 
structures.
  These efforts were to be only the beginning of their community 
activism. Over the years, they raised moneys to build the Little River 
Youth Center and to erect closing gates along the railroad tracks which 
run through their village.
  In the 1960's, they began fundraising to support the fight against 
cancer and heart disease. They gave to the Girl Scouts and created 
student loans for area schoolchildren. They assisted handicapped 
children. They even began their own crimewatch.
  In 1976, as America celebrated its bicentennial, the women's club 
celebrated, too, with its now legendary patriots in petticoats program. 
Emphasizing the history of the flag of the United States, patriots in 
petticoats performed over 80 shows for local citizens and dignitaries.
  To this day, the women's club continue its noteworthy work, 
especially on behalf of area children and needy.
  Today I applaud the members and past presidents of the women's club 
who are today joined with many former mayors, councilmembers, and 
police chiefs. Your work for these many years will not be forgotten. 
You have shown your pride for El Portal. Today, it is El Portal which 
is proud of you.

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