[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 70 (Wednesday, June 3, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E992]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   COMMENDING THE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFORTS OF THE YOUTH OF THE CATHOLIC 
                              WORKER HOUSE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 3, 1998

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call your attention to a 
group of young people from East Chicago, Indiana, who have become 
environmental activists in recent months organizing and demonstrating 
to keep Northwest Indiana safe and clean. Pablo Villarreall, Daniel 
Bustos, Monica Bustos, Jennifer Ruiz, San Juan Guajarvo, Samuel 
Guajarvo, Franky Gonzalez, Alfredo Alsedo Flores, Michael Jimenez, 
Diana Dela Rosa, Ester Ramirez, Victoria Ramirez, Sandra Wojak, Evelyn 
Gamez, Josephine Gamez, Jennie Montantes, Jackie Montantes, Olivia 
Perez, Alex Perez, Nicole Garcia, Moises Cordon, Erik Cordon, Veronica 
Bustos, Jose Gonzalez, Vito McCormick, Yara Sota, Tlatsin J'shua, Sindy 
Santos, Santos Santiago, Olivia Bustos, and Roxanne Bustos have taken 
it upon themselves to become citizens in the best sense of the word. 
Unlike the negative stereotype of teenagers that pervades our culture, 
these real teenagers have been active in helping their community, and 
helping themselves.
  They came together through the Catholic Worker House, where they hold 
regular meetings each week and engage in different projects--
photography, poetry, drama--while establishing relationships with one 
another and the Bustoses, who supervise their activities. They choose 
to come to the Catholic Worker House instead of participating in gangs, 
and, in an area with a high drop-out rate, these young people choose to 
stay in school. But these young adults aren't just the recipients of 
community volunteerism. They are volunteers themselves. After hearing 
from a local environmentalist at the Catholic Worker House, these teens 
decided to get involved. They have garnered attention from local news 
agencies and helped to make all of the adults in their community become 
more aware of their environmental concerns.
  The late Mother Teresa aptly described the volunteer spirit, when she 
said: ``There is a tremendous strength that is growing in the world 
through . . . sharing together, praying together, suffering together, 
and working together.'' These young people worked together in the 
spirit of community, to bring attention to their cause and take on the 
role of active citizens. As young as they are, these students not only 
care what happens in their community, they accept the responsibility 
that goes along with that concern. These students are helping 
themselves, educating themselves, and using the power they get from 
these activities to help those around them. Mr. Speaker, these fine 
young men and women have demonstrated that they are clearly on the path 
to becoming mature, responsible adults, and I commend them to you.

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