[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 68 (Thursday, May 17, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E833]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF INDIANA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JULIA CARSON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 17, 2001

  Ms. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I 
rise today to extend heartfelt congratulations to Boys and Girls Clubs 
of Indiana.
  The Boys and Girls Clubs of America is the fastest growing youth 
guidance organization in the nation. They inspire and enable all young 
people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize 
their fullest potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. 
The core programs enrich the lives of our youth through character and 
leadership development, the arts, sports and fitness, health, and life 
skills. Though youth involvement reflects wonderful diversity of 
income, age, and gender, it is especially important that 66 percent of 
the youth involved come from families with an annual income under 
$15,000.
  In Indiana, the Boys and Girls Clubs, harnessing energy and altruism, 
serve 90,000 youth with financial assistance from 35 corporations, 
helping at more than 60 sites. Board members, professionals, volunteers 
and youth members make possible the outstanding achievements of the 
clubs' youth, developing competence, usefulness, belonging, and power 
of influence of the participating young people of Indiana and 
Indianapolis. It is a matter of special pride to me that the Boys and 
Girls Clubs of Indianapolis is headquartered in the same building where 
the 10th Congressional District Home Office is located.
  It is my distinct pleasure to ensure that the accomplishments of this 
special combination of effort in my district are forever memorialized 
in the Congressional Record of the United States of America. Today, I 
have the honor of paying special tribute to two Indiana Youth of the 
Year: State Winner Amy L. Gley and State Runner-Up Zachary Stavedahl.
  Mr. Speaker, let all who read these pages know that a very special 
group of people offer an outstanding service to the communities of the 
Boys and Girls Clubs, while promoting superior leadership skills and a 
perseverance of overcoming life obstacles.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, two challenges seem in order today: I challenge 
our youth to remain steadfast in their leadership to preserve and 
enlarge the future accomplishments of the Boys and Girls Clubs. I 
challenge my colleagues in this House to act in all things they do here 
with special sensitivity to the contributions of this organization in 
its many efforts across the nation.

                          ____________________