[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 86 (Friday, June 26, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S7292]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNITION OF THE JEFFERSON CITY SAMARITAN CENTER

 Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I rise to recognize the Samaritan 
Center of Jefferson City, on the occasion of the groundbreaking for a 
new home. More than decade ago, Samaritan Center began as an effort of 
five Mid-Missouri Catholic churches. Three Protestant churches joined 
the cause and Samaritan Center has operated ever since as an interfaith 
agency. Virtually all of its resources are devoted directly to service 
delivery, as the center's single paid employee, an operations manager, 
is assisted by more than 150 volunteers each month.
  Respectful, loving service is delivered with firm supervision, and 
anyone who knows the center pays tribute to the practical assistance 
they provide. For example, during the historic Flood of 1993, which 
wiped out the life stake of so many Missouri farmers, the center not 
only donated food, clothing, diapers and utility assistance to make it 
through the winter; they also came through with help to get the crop in 
when spring arrived. Many folks got back on their feet thanks to this 
helping hand, and those who saw what it meant to these families will 
never forget it.
  I am one who marvels at how far the center can stretch its help. I 
have visited and left with my faith in people renewed. The computer is 
donated, the employees unpaid, the furniture castoffs--but the service 
is sterling and as varied as the need.
  This groundbreaking is another step toward meeting a new challenge 
the Samaritan Center is taking on. The current quarters are bursting at 
the seams, and new space must be found to continue to help the families 
they serve (which number more than 400 each month for food alone!). 
Characteristically, the center refuses to reduce service to pay for the 
new building they hope to place on land donated by supporters. So, in 
addition to continuing to help people with needs ranging from rent to 
work uniforms, the center and its friends are not so slowly and very 
surely piecing together the resources to build a site that meets the 
needs of Mid-Missouri today.
  To know the Samaritan Center is to respect and support it. It is my 
honor to offer this tribute from the United States Senate on the loving 
service provided by the Center, its volunteer and many 
supporters.

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