[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 123 (Tuesday, September 16, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H7284]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO FLORIDA SHERIFFS YOUTH RANCHES

  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, many people come to the floor to complain 
about things or complain about how things are done. But this morning, 
Mr. Speaker, I am glad to share a success story with my colleagues 
about the outstanding efforts of a dedicated group in my home State of 
Florida. I am talking about those involved with the Florida Sheriffs 
Youth Ranches.
  The Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches, Inc., is celebrating 40 years of 
making a difference in the lives of our State and of our young people. 
Over 30,000 boys and girls have benefited from the guidance and care 
provided by this organization over the past four decades.
  Although created to serve Florida's 67 counties, the Florida Sheriffs 
Youth Ranches had its genesis in Texas, the result of a trip by two 
Florida sheriffs in 1955. Sheriff Don McLeod of my home county, Marion 
County, and Sheriff Ed Blackburn, Jr., of Hillsborough County were in 
Texas to pick up two fugitives from Florida. While talking with a local 
deputy, they heard about a nearby camp for needy and neglected boys. 
They learned that a former wrestler had started the camp with four boys 
salvaged from the local slums and how this caring individual turned 
their lives around by providing a home, support, and discipline.
  The next day they took charge of their prisoners for the drive back 
to Florida. One was a young man 18 years old and badly injured, and the 
other a 17-year-old girl who was 5 months pregnant, two young people 
who, without proper guidance, got into big, big trouble. The two 
sheriffs decided that if a former wrestler could make a difference, 
then certainly law officers working together could repair damaged 
lives. After all, they knew full well that the youthful victims of 
neglect, abuse, and indifference too often take to crime.
  Sheriffs McLeod and Blackburn presented their idea to the Florida 
Sheriffs Association. Later that year the Association persuaded the 
Elks Club of Suwanee County and a local businessman to donate 140 acres 
on the banks of the Suwanee River for the ranch. With loans from area 
banks and contributions to the Association, they began building the 
Florida Sheriffs Boys Ranch.
  Financial contributions, donations of materials, and volunteers 
helped build the first camp, and four boys moved into the facility in 
January 1959. Thirteen years later, the Sheriffs opened a camp for 
girls. And in 1976, a coed facility was built to reunite siblings.
  I would like to take note of the support provided by such individuals 
as Sheriff John P. Hall, Sr., who served as the first treasurer of the 
Youth Ranches and was sheriff of Clay County, in my congressional 
district, for a record 36 years. I also commend his children, J.P. 
Hall, Jr., and Dena Mae Lemen, for continuing their devoted services to 
the Youth Ranches. These folks are also in my congressional districts.
  Mr. Speaker, today there are six camps operated by the Florida 
Sheriffs Youth Ranches. The goal of these ranches is quite simple: to 
prevent juvenile delinquency and develop lawful, productive citizens 
through a broad range of family centered services. They use the basics, 
tried and true traditional values, to mend broken spirits and lives.
  The success of this program is found in the simple values embraced by 
most Americans today, basic family values that, when abandoned, lead to 
anguish and despair. By building character and instilling the concept 
of service and self-sacrifice, these young people learn the importance 
of community. Add in study, faith and hard work, and we have the 
ingredients for a future generation of outstanding citizens.
  The Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches are a product of a vision for 
building a better future for Florida's children, a vision which has 
flourished with the generous support of Florida's citizens.
  It is easy, Mr. Speaker, to look to the Government to solve the 
problems within our society. However, if we want results, we need to 
look to ourselves and communities for these solutions. There are many 
examples of this truth, and I commend the Florida Sheriffs Youth 
Ranches for making the difference in the lives of 30,000 troubled 
Florida youths. Thank you for 40 years of service to Florida and 
Florida's youth.
  I also commend J.P. Hall, Jr., and Dena Mae Lemen for coming up here 
and sharing this 40-year anniversary here in Congress, and I wish them 
another 40 years or more of success.

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