[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 24, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E538-E539]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          THE PARENT HELP LINE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 24, 1999

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
thank the Parent Help Line of Springfield, Illinois for their 
extraordinary contributions to their community.
  This volunteer organization's primary function is to help parents 
become better parents by providing advice, support, and referrals to 
various community agencies. The Parent Help Line is funded by several 
different sources including St. John's Hospital Foundation, Ronald 
McDonald Charities of Central Illinois and Ameritech.
  Currently, the Parent Help Line consists of 25 volunteers who respond 
to about 100 calls per month. While these numbers may not seem 
significant, each one of those hundred

[[Page E539]]

calls has helped a parent and child come closer together through the 
support of their community. Recognizing the utmost importance that 
parents play in the development of not only their children, but of the 
future of our great country, the Parent Help Line helps parents meet 
parenting challenges head on.
  Again, I would like to thank the volunteers and contributors of the 
Parent Help Line for the outstanding devotion they have shown towards 
our nation's greatest asset--our children.

                          ____________________