[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 32 (Thursday, March 13, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E478]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RENEWAL ALLIANCE--A BETTER WAY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. RON PACKARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 13, 1997

  Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, today I will join 27 of my colleagues at 
the Washington, DC, Darrel Green Learning Center for Underprivileged 
Children to kick-off a series of events designed to promote charitable, 
community, and faith-based solutions to some of our Nation's most 
intractable problems.
  Washington bureaucrats took their crack at it with dismal results, 
wasting billions of dollars and destroying lives. We know there is a 
better way. My colleagues and I formed the Renewal Alliance to take 
that message across the Nation.
  Currently, the newly formed alliance comprises 28 Congressmen and 
Senators who plan to highlight community efforts to solve poverty, 
repair broken families, end substance abuse, and a host of other 
problems.
  The welfare reform critics think one way--Washington's way or no way. 
The fact is, folks across the country work everyday to touch lives and 
restore hope with phenomonal results. A volunteer's compassion, 
dedication, and genuine desire go much further than a nameless, 
faceless check from Washington.
  I have served at the local level as a mayor, a school board member, a 
chamber of commerce board member, part of the Cub Scouts and been 
active in my church. I can attest to the power of the individual, and 
to what we can do when we work together. Our Government must support 
rather than replace faith, family, work, and community.

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