[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 138 (Tuesday, October 6, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1920]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO HARRY D. FRELS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. BRIAN P. BILBRAY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 6, 1998

  Mr. BILBRAY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with respect and admiration 
for a man of great fortitude and commitment to the world community. It 
is with great pleasure that I extend my high commendation to Harry D. 
Frels of San Diego, CA, who has served on the Kiwanis International 
Foundation's board since 1993 and served as President of the Foundation 
this year. The Kiwanis International Foundation is the charitable arm 
of Kiwanis International, one of the world's leading service clubs. 
There are currently 8,570 Kiwanis clubs in 82 nations. The Kiwanis 
family of service organizations numbers more than 600,000 adult and 
youth volunteers. Harry Frels has traveled as far as France and Korea 
to promote the foundation's goals and programs.
  The Kiwanis International Foundation is playing a central role in the 
Kiwanis Worldwide Service Project. In partnership with the United 
Nations Children's Fund, Kiwanis clubs have pledged to raise $75 
million to assist nations in eliminating iodine deficiency disorders 
(IDD) the leading preventable cause of mental retardation in the world 
today. Under Harry Frels' leadership, the Foundation reached the $32 
million mark in fulfilling this commitment, and these funds have been 
distributed to support IDD programs in more than 65 nations. UNICEF 
estimates that these Kiwanis-funded IDD programs are now saving more 
than 6 million children from mental retardation each year.
  Harry Frels is a Marine Corps veteran of World War II. He has been a 
Kiwanis member since 1961 and has served as president of both the North 
Hollywood and the San Diego Kiwanis clubs. He is currently the San 
Diego club's secretary and executive director. In addition to Kiwanis, 
he has served his community in many ways, including as a board member 
or chairman of the San Diego Hall of Champions, the YMCA of San Diego 
County, the Salvation Army Central Advisory Board, the Greater San 
Diego Sports Association, and the San Diego Holiday Bowl.
  Mr. Speaker, it is an honor for me to pay tribute to Harry D. Frels 
who is always ready to contribute his time and talents to meet the 
needs of his community and the world. Although he is stepping down as 
President of the Kiwanis International Foundation, I am confident his 
lifestyle of and commitment to public service will continue for years 
to come.

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