[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 53 (Wednesday, May 3, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E617]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LETTER CARRIERS NATIONAL FOOD DRIVE DAY

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                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 3, 2000

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
publicly commend the National Association of Letter Carriers [NALC] for 
the good work they are doing nationwide and grant them well-deserved 
recognition and appreciation for their genuine humanitarian acts and 
for their good will.
  As Americans, we enjoy one of the highest living standards in the 
world. Nevertheless, many people within our borders do not benefit from 
our Nation's great prosperity. In fact, many more Americans are hungry 
and malnourished than most people realize. Hunger is a serious problem 
that deserves national attention.
  The NALC has undertaken a tremendous amount of initiative in solving 
this problem by planning their eighth annual national food drive day on 
May 13, 2000, which will be the largest one-day food drive in the 
country. Last year more than 1,500 NALC branches in all fifty states 
and U.S. jurisdictions collected 58.4 million pounds of food, and we 
are hopeful this record will be exceeded in the year 2000.
  I considered it a privilege to have had the opportunity to 
participate in the ``Stamp Out Hunger'' food drive kickoff. The NALC 
branches in Westchester, Newburgh and Middletown honored me with the 
opportunity to assist them in their efforts to improve the lives of 
less fortunate individuals. Both NALC branches appear to be well on 
their way to another record-breaking food drive and I wish them success 
and the best of luck.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to commend the NALC on their continued 
generosity and good will. Their kind spirit and genuine care for less 
privileged individuals embody the values of brotherhood upon which this 
great nation was founded. I urge them to stay motivated and my best 
wishes are with them in all of their future endeavors.
  I urge my colleagues to encourage people and organizations within 
their respective districts to follow the lead of the NALC and support 
those people who take personal initiative in making America a better 
place in which to live.

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