[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 31 (Thursday, March 19, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E432]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       VOLUNTEERISM BY THE MERLE REED UNIT OF DELANO, CALIFORNIA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CALVIN M. DOOLEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 19, 1998

  Mr. DOOLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and 
honor the work of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit #124, the Merle 
Reed Unit of Delano, California, for their remarkable and outstanding 
community service in the 20th District of California on October 25, 
1997, ``Make a Difference'' Day in Delano truly did make a substantive 
difference in the lives and well-being of the people of Delano. Thirty-
five members of the Merle Reed Unit worked that day on seven different 
projects designed to benefit the community in a wide range of ways.
  They volunteered during the local Red Ribbon Week, promoting drug 
free awareness throughout the community. They collected yard sale items 
worth approximately $4,280 to sell at their ``Spring Day'', the 
proceeds of which will be donated to the Salvation Army and local 
church organizations. The Unit ran a canned food drive for the 
Holidays, recycled 583 pounds of bottles to benefit Veterans projects, 
and ran a comprehensive clean-up of the Auxiliary Post Hall, 
beautifying both the interior and exterior of the community center. 
Visits to the sick, local hospital volunteering and a joint luncheon 
for local Post Boys and Girls State participants rounded out an 
extremely beneficial day of service.
  I commend the members of the Merle Reed Unit for their excellent 
commitment to bettering the community and the lives of those who live 
in it through public service, and am proud to be able to make this 
statement to honor just one of the many outstanding examples of service 
done everyday throughout this nation. I hope their fellow citizens will 
recognize the great work that the American Legion Auxiliary Unit had 
done, and continues to do, for the community, and will follow their 
admirable example.

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