[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 93 (Friday, June 27, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S6781]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            GARRETT RUSSELL

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 
achievements of a remarkable young man from the city of Midland, MI. 
Garrett Russell, an 8-year-old second grade student at Siebert 
Elementary School, collected more than 100 bicycles and $25,000 worth 
of toys to give to victims of the flooding in Grand Forks, ND.
  When Garrett saw footage of the flooding he was immediately moved 
into action. He asked his classmates to help him provide toys to the 
thousands of the children in Grand Forks who were forced to leave their 
belongings behind as they fled from their homes. Word of Garrett's 
``Kids Helping Kids'' campaign spread quickly and caught the 
imagination of the generous people of the Tri-City area. Donations 
arrived daily, reaching a total of more than 3,000 toys and 100 
bicycles.
  Garrett, his sister Elise, and his parents, Dean and Kathy Russell, 
loaded the toys into a truck and drove to Grand Forks to distribute 
them to the children there. Lutheran Social Services of Grand Forks 
held a festival on Saturday, June 14, 1997, at which Garrett gave away 
most of the toys to the 1,200 children who attended. The following day, 
Garrett and his family gave the rest of the toys away as they visited 
the homes of families who had lost almost everything they owned.
  Garrett has received praise from many people since he began his 
campaign to brighten the spirits of the children of Grand Forks, 
especially from his classmates and from the people who benefited from 
his endeavors. The Midland Daily News quoted his friend, 7-year-old 
Anna Brown, who said, ``I think it was generous of him because most 
kids don't start a campaign just because they see something on the 
news.'' Grand Forks resident Judy Holweger, whose son, Joel, received a 
bicycle at the festival, said, ``It really lifts these kids' spirits. 
They've lost a lot.'' Garrett's schoolmate, Claire Liang, may have put 
it best when she said, ``Not everyone has a big heart like Garrett.''
  We can all take inspiration from Garrett Russell's example of 
generosity and selflessness. I know my colleagues join me in commending 
Garrett for his outstanding accomplishments, and in wishing the people 
of Grand Forks, as well as all those affected by the flooding this 
spring, a speedy and complete recovery.

                          ____________________