[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 54 (Tuesday, April 20, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E701]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                          TRIBUTE TO THE MEDIA

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. PAUL RYAN

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 20, 1999

  Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Bob 
Branen and the local newspapers in my district who are helping the 
refugees of Kosovo. I strongly believe the most effective way to help 
those in need is through an individual's time and efforts to volunteer 
at local charities and churches. This works when helping the homeless 
and hungry in your own community, or when helping the homeless and 
hungry thousands of miles away in war-torn Kosovo.
  Southern Lakes Media, Inc. of Burlington and Walworth Newspapers, 
Inc. of Walworth have launched a nine-city effort to generate support 
of those fleeing Kosovo. Bob Branen, president of the newspaper chains, 
is asking, through editorials and advertisements, for Wisconsin 
citizens to donate to World Relief, an international assistance 
organization.
  World Relief is working with Albania's churches to assist the men, 
women and children who were forced to flee their homes without food, 
water or clothing. This organization is fighting to give these refugees 
not only material comforts, but spiritual hope as well. The Kosovars, 
expelled from their homeland by Serbian president Slobodan Milosevic, 
are finding safety in the open homes and open arms of the people of 
Tirana. The outpouring of generosity by my neighbors in Wisconsin 
translates into meaningful action, half a world away, for the victims 
of the Kosovo conflict.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to honor their 
extraordinary example and encourage them to continue their efforts and 
I commend Mr. Branen for the initiative he took to inform his newspaper 
readers.

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