[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 41 (Wednesday, April 9, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E610]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




[[Page E610]]



                            LOCAL SOLUTIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. RON PACKARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 9, 1997

  Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, for years we have heard a lot about what is 
wrong with our Government's efforts to solve poverty, hunger, and 
abuse. Last Congress, we passed welfare reform and turned the bulk of 
those efforts over to the States, communities, and individuals. Today, 
I am here to share with this body success stories--stories from my 
district about communities coming together to help people one at a 
time.
  Last week, while back in my southern California district, I was 
delighted to visit places like Saint Clare's Home in Escondido, CA. 
Sister Claire runs the program that houses and cares for battered women 
and their children until they can re-enter society and provide for 
themselves. This place offers much more than a check ever could. 
Counselors provide one-to-one nurturing, job counseling, and a friendly 
face to turn to when troubles arise.
  Also, I had the opportunity to tour the food distribution center in 
Orange County, CA, which sorts and directs surplus foods to charities 
throughout the county. This center takes perfectly good surplus food 
and instead of it going to the dumpster it feeds the hungry.
  Finally, I witnessed the therapeutic miracles of the Fran Joswick 
Therapeutic Riding Center in San Juan Capistrano, CA. This riding 
facility provides a truly unique and enjoyable alternative therapy for 
developmentally and physically disabled children through horse riding 
and grooming. Children achieve physical and mental feats they otherwise 
would not have.
  These groups have something truly significant in common--they were 
not thought up by some Government bureaucrat, not powered by some 
Government employee, and not entirely dependent on taxpayer dollars for 
their existence. Instead, their success rests on the basic principle 
that local citizens know best what the needs of their communities are; 
that families, churches, and service groups will always do a better job 
because their passion for helping others is both genuine and infinite 
in nature. My colleagues and I, participating in the Renewal Alliance, 
will continue to highlight these and other community efforts that are 
rebuilding lives and restoring hope.

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