[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 165 (Friday, November 19, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2503-E2504]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                   SUPPORTING THE PRISON CARD PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KAREN McCARTHY

                              of missouri

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 18, 1999

  Ms. McCARTHY of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my 
colleague, the distinguished Ranking Member of the Appropriation 
Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and State, the gentleman from New 
York, Mr. Serrano, to highlight a successful initiative for more than 
25 years, and to urge its continuation. The Salvation Army has been 
working with the Bureau of Prisons to operate what is known as the 
Prison Card Program. Under this highly successful program, greeting 
cards are donated to The Salvation Army which are then given to inmates 
at correctional facilities across the country. This program allows 
inmates to keep in touch with family and friends--affording them the 
opportunity to stay in contact not only during the holiday season and 
on special occasions, but throughout the year. This clearly benefits 
the inmates and their loved ones, but we know that the community at 
large benefits because prisoners who maintain strong ties are less 
likely to return to prison once their sentence is completed. In short, 
this a win-win program.
  The Department of Justice and the Bureau of Prisons should be 
commended for their support of this program. The Prison Card Program 
has the support of Congress and the Department should have confidence 
in such support for this program--which has operated for more than a 
quarter-century. My colleague, the gentlemen from New York, Mr. 
Serrano, and I are prepared to work with the distinguished Chairman of 
the Appropriation Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and State, the 
gentlemen from Kentucky, Mr. Rogers, and other Congressional supporters 
of the program in the coming months to ensure that the Department of 
Justice receives the continuing and specific authority that might be 
needed to ensure that this important charitable program is sustained 
well into the future. I can assure the Members of the House that I will 
work with them to develop legislative language if necessary to assure a 
long term solution on this issue. The parties involved should be 
confident that Congress supports programs such as this.

[[Page E2504]]

  The gentleman from New York, Mr. Serrano, and I share the support for 
this program and know what a valuable contribution it has made to the 
inmates, their family and friends and the public. The Salvation Army 
should be commended for its Prison Card Program as should the Justice 
Department and the Bureau of Prisons for their continuing support of 
this important program.
  Mr. Speaker, please join with my colleagues in supporting the Prison 
Card Program.

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