[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 59 (Tuesday, May 12, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E822-E823]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE RONALD McDONALD HOUSE OF HOUSTON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN BENTSEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 12, 1998

  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the Ronald McDonald House 
of Houston as it prepares to celebrate its first family reunion on the 
weekend of May 15th and 16th at the newly opened Ronald McDonald House 
in the Texas Medical Center.
  The Ronald McDonald House gives a home away from home to the families 
of seriously ill children being treated at the Texas Medical Center. It 
is rightly known as ``The House that Love Built.'' More than one 
hundred past Ronald McDonald House families from all over the

[[Page E823]]

world are coming home this weekend to celebrate the new House and to 
visit old friends, doctors, nurses, and all those who have become a 
part of their family over the years.
  The idea for the Ronald McDonald House was launched in 1978 by a 
group of parents and friends, most of whom had experienced the trauma 
of serious childhood illness in their own families. They were supported 
by contributions from the Houston McDonald's Operators Association, the 
Houston Oilers, and area foundations, corporations, community 
organizations, and individuals. In May 1981, the first family moved 
into the original Ronald McDonald House.
  Because of its many outstanding medical facilities, thousands of 
children travel to Houston each year to be treated for serious 
illnesses. The Ronald McDonald House provides a place where the whole 
family can stay in a homelike environment and find support as they 
share with other families who are also experiencing the trauma of 
childhood illness. The Ronald McDonald House strives to relieve the 
stress and pain of illness by offering these families a warm, caring 
environment where they can share their concerns.
  In the fall of 1994, a $10 million capital campaign was launched to 
secure funds for the construction of a new, larger Ronald McDonald 
House of Houston in the Texas Medical Center. With the successful 
completion of this campaign in September 1997, the doors to the current 
House were opened.
  The new House is a three-story brick atrium building including 50 
private bedrooms, an eight-station kitchen, special needs kitchen, 
dining room, meeting areas, business offices, resident manager 
quarters, playrooms, laundry, outside play area, and even a schoolroom. 
The House now averages 32 families a night and is well on its way to a 
full House of 50 families.
  The reunion weekend will consist of an old fashioned Texas Round-up 
Barbecue hosted by the employees of Southwest Airlines, as well as a 
breakfast with special guests from the Texas Medical Center, The Spring 
Fling Children's Party, and a commemorative Closing Ceremony. During 
the ceremony, the children will plant a garden honoring those children 
who were unable to attend the reunion.
  Mr. Speaker, the Ronald McDonald House of Houston, its staff, 
volunteers and especially its families over the years are a great 
inspiration to all Americans and I congratulate them on this special 
occasion.

                          ____________________