[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 147 (Tuesday, October 28, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2105]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E2105]]


                        HONORING KATHY DI FIORE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARGE ROUKEMA

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 28, 1997

  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Kathy DiFiore, of 
Ramsey, NJ, for the work she is doing on behalf of unwed mothers. Kathy 
is a dedicated and compassionate community leader who lends support to 
young women at a trying period in their lives. Her work is well-known 
across our State and has been supported by figures as prominent as 
former Gov. Tom Kean and the late Mother Teresa. We need more people 
like Kathy DiFiore to help with the issue of teen pregnancy.
  More than a decade ago, Kathy opened a shelter for unwed mothers in 
her own, six-bedroom home. Today, she operates Several Sources 
Shelters, which has five homes for unwed mothers--two in Ramsey plus 
one each in Mendham, Newark, and Washington Township. Kathy a former 
Wall Street executive, has given thousands of women the moral and 
tangible support needed to bring their children into the world.
  Even an effort as admirable as a shelter for unwed mothers does not 
succeed without overcoming obstacles. In 1984, State officials levied a 
$10,000 fine against Kathy, claiming that her home--at that point a 
shelter--was being operated as an illegal boardinghouse. Similarly, 
Ramsey officials said it was unlikely she could be granted a zoning 
variance necessary to continue operation. The shelter's future was 
uncertain. Undaunted, Kathy convinced the State legislature to pass a 
bill allowing her to remain in operation, then-Governor Kean, however, 
was hesitant to sign the measure.
  It was at that point that Kathy contacted Mother Teresa and asked her 
help. Mother Teresa responded and, in turn, contacted Governor Kean and 
urged him to sign the bill. Three days later, the legislation was law.
  The Several Sources Foundation provides extensive counseling and 
information for pregnant women seeking an alternative to abortion and 
ultimately provides free shelter for expectant mothers and their 
children. The foundation has found that many young women, particularly 
teenagers, have no place to stay while pregnant. It is, tragically, not 
uncommon for angry parents to kick out their daughters upon learning 
that they are pregnant. The shelters allow mothers to stay during 
pregnancy and up to 1 year after the birth of a child. Each of the five 
shelters can house up to six mothers and their infants, supervised by 
an adult house mother.
  Women who stay at the shelters are trained in the practical aspects 
of motherhood, including prenatal care and homemaking. School-age 
mothers attend high school and are tutored at the shelter during the 
last weeks of pregnancy. Women who have dropped out of school are 
assisted in passing their GED and are given classes in practical, 
employment-related skills such as typing. Some go on to college.
  Several sources is a pro-life organization that offers a national 
telephone hotline for pregnant women. More than 200 women call the 
hotline each month and Kathy estimates that 15,000 abortions have been 
avoided since she founded the organization. The group also offers 
information through a World Wide Web site on the Internet.
  None of this could be done without help, of course. Kathy is assisted 
by a number of caring and dedicated volunteers, such as Donna Jacoby of 
Ridgewood. Others help the nonprofit, nonsectarian organization through 
tax-deductible private donations and offerings at area churches.
  Mr. Speaker, Kathy DiFiore is a deeply religious woman who has 
followed through on her Christian convictions. She communicated 
frequently with Mother Teresa, who served as her religious role model. 
She likes to say that it's necessary to pray the work. Her efforts 
might be described as working the prayer.
  We need more people of deep conviction and conscience who do more 
than preach their morality and practice Christian charity in its truest 
form. Kathy DiFiore has transformed her convictions into action to help 
these women and children who are in greatest need, not only in daily 
care but also in educating and inspiring them to improve their lives 
and provide a promising, hopeful future for their newborn babies.
  We all wish her renewed strength and inspiration so that many more 
might find life through her dedicated and devoted ministry.

                          ____________________