[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 24 (Tuesday, March 10, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1710-S1711]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO THE SALVATION ARMY

 Mr. GRAMS. Mr. President, I rise today on the 118th 
Anniversary of the founding of the Salvation Army in the United States 
to pay tribute to its valiant tradition of public service.
  In March of 1880, George Scott Railton left his native England and 
set sail for New York on a mission to further the work of the Salvation 
Army. On March 10 of that year, Railton arrived in New York where he 
began spreading the Salvation Army's mission in the United States, 
working in the spirit of service that has been inherent in the 
Salvation Army since its founding.
  Although the passage of time has brought with it new challenges, I am 
happy to say that today, the Salvation Army's presence in the United 
States is as strong as ever. Whenever there is a human need to be met, 
the Salvation Army responds to the call, providing comfort in the face 
of tragedy and hope in situations where there is seemingly no hope to 
be found.
  In its earliest days, the focus of the Salvation Army's work was 
attending to the material, emotional, and spiritual needs of the poor 
by providing shelter for the homeless, food for the hungry, and alcohol 
rehabilitation for the chemically dependant. Today the Salvation Army's 
mission is the same, yet the number of services offered has greatly 
increased. The Salvation Army has indeed adapted to changing times, as 
seen by the fact that it now offers services such as shelters for 
battered women, assistance to victims of HIV/AIDS, career counseling, 
vocational training, day care centers, correctional services, and drug 
rehabilitation.
  Mr. President, I would like to make special mention of one service 
the Salvation Army provides which has particularly touched my home 
state of Minnesota: disaster relief. Minnesotans witnessed that service 
first hand when the Salvation Army responded to the tragedy which 
struck in the form of the spring floods of 1997.
  In Operation ``We Care'', the Salvation Army provided a great deal of 
comfort and support to Minnesotans who had the misfortune of 
experiencing the devastation caused by the floods. Thousands were 
displaced by the floods, their homes destroyed, and necessities such as 
food, shelter and fresh water were made inaccessible by the flood's 
fury. In this trying time, the Salvation Army was on hand to give 
victims hot meals and a roof over their heads, as well as clothing, 
personal hygiene items, and a variety of other basic commodities that 
are often taken for granted yet are sorely missed when unavailable.
  Once the flood waters retreated, victims were faced with a new set of 
problems brought by the flood's aftermath. Victims returned to their 
homes and businesses to discover the extensive damage left in the 
flood's wake. Although the task of sandbagging and containing the river 
was over, the Salvation Army remained in the flooded areas to aid in 
the clean-up and rebuilding process. The Salvation Army contributed to 
this effort by providing clean-up kits, water pumps, wet vacs, 
emergency generators, and the tireless labor of dedicated volunteers.
  Operation ``We Care'' proved an effective and heartfelt response to 
this crisis. Through the generosity of the Salvation Army's employees 
and its many volunteers, Minnesotans were aided by everything from 
direct assistance to help pay rent, utilities, and other living 
expenses, to a prayer chain which called on people of all faiths to 
pray for those devastated by the floods.
  Mr. President, on behalf of the citizens of Minnesota, I would like 
to express my deep gratitude for the work the Salvation Army has 
undertaken in my state and send my sincerest congratulations on its 
188th anniversary in this country. With its dedication to service and 
spiritual growth, the Salvation Army truly embodies the good in 
humanity.

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