[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 83 (Monday, June 14, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1240]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       CONGRATULATING BREAD FOR THE WORLD ON ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARGE ROUKEMA

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 14, 1999

  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Bread of the 
World organization on its 25th anniversary of seeking to feed the 
world's neediest individuals--those who suffer from hunger. There is no 
more basic need for survival than adequate nutrition, and these 
dedicated, compassionate volunteers are deserving of our deepest 
thanks. Without their efforts, millions of people around the globe 
might literally have starved to death in the past quarter century.
  For 25 years, Bread for the World has been blessed with the 
commitment of tens of thousands of people united to one goal: seeking 
justice for the world's hungry people. This month, I join my colleagues 
in Congress and on the board of Bread for World in welcoming Bread for 
the World members to Washington for their National Gathering, Silver 
Anniversary Celebration, and Annual Lobby Day.
  Bread for the World is a nonpartisan, Christian citizens' movement. 
Its mission is to change public policy to address the root causes of 
hunger and poverty in the United States and the world. Bread for the 
World members lobby the nation's decision-makers for policies that 
benefit hungry and poor people in the United States and around the 
world.
  The organization was launched in 1974, after a small group of 
Catholics and Protestants began meeting to reflect on how persons of 
faith could be mobilized to influences U.S. policies that address the 
causes of hunger. Under the leadership of the Reverend Arthur Simon, 
the group quickly grew. Now, more than 44,000 members and churches 
belong to the ranks of Bread for the World and, led by the Reverend 
David Beckmann, serve as citizen advocates for hungry people.
  Year after year, Bread for the World members win victories for hungry 
people from increased funding for child nutrition programs to 
investments in African farmers to restoration of food stamps to 
vulnerable legal immigrants. This year, Bread for the World members are 
part of Jubilee 2000, a worldwide movement for debt relief, and are 
supporting legislation providing debt relief for poverty reduction.
  I am proud to be a member of the Board of Directors of Bread for the 
World. I believe it is nothing short of criminal that children go to 
bed hungry in this, the wealthiest nation in the world. Hunger is a 
completely preventable condition that stunts the growth and health of 
our youth and cripples the ability of adults to contribute to our 
society. I have long worked to fight hunger, sponsoring bills like the 
Hunger Has a Cure Act and fighting cuts in food stamps, the school 
breakfast/lunch program, Emergency Food Assistance, and WIC, among 
others. My commitment to this issue is unwavering.
  In this 25th anniversary year of Bread for the World, I would like to 
take this opportunity to give thanks for their advocacy and wish them 
continued blessings in the years ahead, as they seek an end to hunger. 
There are few higher callings.

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