[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 54 (Tuesday, April 20, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E696]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO ``RSVP''

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 20, 1999

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to your attention the 
importance of volunteerism to our Nation. It seems that too often today 
we turn to the government when we need assistance. While this may be 
appropriate as a last resort, the government is not the answer to all 
our distinctly individual problems. Instead, a greater importance must 
be placed on volunteerism as a means of helping people.
  One group of my constituents that is performing this very important 
societal function is the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). In 
May, RSVP is celebrating their 25th anniversary of service to society. 
For the past 25 years, this group of 417 active volunteers have served 
the counties of Brown, Calhoun, Pike, and Schuyler.
  RSVP provides hundreds of different community services including 
tutoring, mentoring, companionship, disaster relief, and child care. 
The list of community services that RSVP provides goes on and on to fit 
the needs of individuals in the community. A few examples of the 
personal care and service that RSVP has given include making sure that 
Dorothy, who is homebound, receives her afternoon meals and that Jesse, 
a young student, gets the help he needs with his spelling.
  Too often people use ``lack of time'' as an excuse when declining to 
volunteer their time. However, some RSVP members volunteer only a few 
hours a week to helping their community. While a few hours might not 
sound like a lot, it sure means a lot to Dorothy and young Jesse.
  I would like to personally congratulate the Retired Senior Volunteers 
Program on their upcoming 25th anniversary. They have not only helped 
their community by volunteering their time and services, but have also 
helped our Nation by setting an example for all to follow.

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