[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 132 (Monday, September 28, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11058-S11059]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING CINDY GEORGER

 Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I rise to speak about an outstanding 
individual from the State of Idaho who is deserving of not only our 
praise, but our wholehearted respect. In the turmoil of daily life, it 
is easy to get so caught up in our own affairs that we forget those 
less fortunate around us. Cindy Georger is not one of those people. She 
has unselfishly dedicated her time and energy to one of the most 
important battles raging in our nation today--the fight against 
illiteracy. Although this struggle continues even during our high-tech 
entry into the 21st Century, small battles are being won every day by 
people like Cindy.
  Mrs. Georger, a Boise resident, has volunteered at ``Learning Lab, 
Inc.'' since 1994. This is a non-profit organization providing literacy 
programs in three sectors: Adult Basic Skills, English as a Second 
Language, and Family Literacy. She has assisted with children ages 3 to 
5 who have at least one functionally illiterate parent.
  In volunteering with these children, Mrs. Georger is serving two 
equally important purposes. She is both tutoring children--undoubtedly 
one of the noblest of causes--and inspiring the parents of those 
children. By helping the parents, she is not only promoting literacy, 
but also family values, by encouraging them to take the time to sit 
down and read with their children. What a gift to give to a child--what 
a gift to give to a family.
  In a nation facing an unparalleled struggle to maintain family 
values, and plagued with reports of the American family as increasingly 
apathetic, it is easy to get disheartened, but through people like 
Cindy Georger it is possible to look to the future with hope--hope for 
a time when people care about others, when family returns to the top of 
everyone's agenda, and when every American knows how to read.
  I would like to thank Cindy Georger for her time, dedication, and 
efforts to

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promote and teach literacy. Her services, and the services of 
volunteers like Cindy throughout Idaho and the nation, are the 
instruments through which the battle of illiteracy can and will be 
won.

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