[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 72 (Tuesday, May 18, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E991]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   BETTY LIPPS IS THE ANGEL AMONG US

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 18, 1999

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
congratulate Betty Lipps upon being named Citizen of the Year by the 
Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce in recognition of her efforts to 
create ``Angels on Assignment.''
  ``Angels'' is affiliated with the First Methodist Church in Mount 
Vernon, Illinois and began in 1991. Since then the ``Angels,'' which is 
devoted to helping the needy and homeless in our country, have made a 
significant contribution to Mount Vernon and the surrounding Jefferson 
County area.
  However, we cannot overlook the significance of Betty Lipps' efforts 
in creating this program in the first place. Had she not given of her 
personal time and vision, this program never would have begun and the 
``Angels'' who have come to mean so much to the Mount Vernon area might 
never have been found.
  It takes a lot of people and a lot of hard work to make a program 
like this flourish the way that ``Angels'' continues to do. Most 
importunately, it takes one courageous and determined soul like Betty 
Lipps to get the whole thing started.
  To Betty and her husband of 50 years, Bob, I say thank you. Thank you 
for all you do to make our lives a little better. In your honor, I am 
wearing the ``Angels'' yellow ribbon on the House Floor today as a 
reminder that with a little bit of love and understanding there truly 
are angels among us. Thanks Betty.

                          ____________________