[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 97 (Thursday, July 12, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1326]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               EFFORTS TO ASSIST THE HOMELESS AND HUNGRY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 12, 2001

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, on June 1st, at the annual awards ceremony 
of the St. Albans School, 17 year old James Fisher was recognized and 
honored for his innovative project to feed the homeless of Washington, 
D.C. I am pleased to share his story, with the hopes that his example 
might inspire other teenagers throughout the nation.
  Homelessness is one of America's most complicated and important 
social issues. In an effort to combat this complex problem, Congress 
continues to appropriate funds each year to the Stewart B. McKinney 
Homeless Act which provides funds to the Department of Housing and 
Urban Development to administer programs which assist homeless children 
and adults. In addition, there are also countless acts of compassion 
each day among private citizens in their communities to help stem 
hopelessness and hunger among our homeless population. James Fisher's 
is but one story among thousands in which Americans across the nation 
are working to help the homeless.
  After noticing that the breakfast period at a neighborhood McDonald's 
was the slowest period of the day for sales one morning, James Fisher 
approached the owner, Mrs. Neva Van Valkenburg, with an idea. Mr. 
Fisher proposed arranging for students at St. Albans School and its 
sister school, the National Cathedral School, to have breakfast at the 
McDonald's every day for one week. In return for this increased 
business, Mr. Fisher asked for 15% of each morning's sales, in the form 
of a food credit, to be set aside for low-income and homeless children. 
This credit would then be used to purchase meals provided by Martha's 
Table in the District of Columbia. Mrs. Van Valkenburg agreed with 
James' idea and the program became a stellar success. James Fisher's 
arrangement with Mrs. Van Valkenburg provided for 250 additional meals 
for the homeless children who are fed at Martha's Table. Mr. Speaker, I 
commend James, Mrs. Van Valkenburg and the students who participated in 
this program to help homeless children in their community.
  Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize the many organizations 
and individuals in my own Congressional district who assist the 
homeless and the hungry. These services range from mental and physical 
health programs, help desks, meals and shelter, job training programs, 
health care, transitional housing and residential rehabilitation. These 
organizations are fighting the battle against homelessness and hunger 
everyday. Some of the organizations I would like to recognize for their 
work include the Daly City Community Services Center, the North 
Peninsula Dining Center in Daly City, the Grace Covenant Church in 
South San Francisco, the South San Francisco Food Pantry in South San 
Francisco, the North Peninsula Neighborhood Services Center in South 
San Francisco, the St. Vincent de Paul Society Cafe, the St. Vincent 
Homeless Help Desk in South San Francisco, the San Mateo Pacifica 
Resource Center, CALL -Primrose Center in Burlingame, the Samaritan 
Family Kitchen in San Mateo, and many, many others.
  All of these groups help to provide necessary services for the 
homeless of San Francisco and San Mateo Counties and I would like to 
pay tribute to the individuals who work and volunteer their time to 
help the homeless and the hungry in our community.
  Mr. Speaker, James Fisher's experience and the efforts of many other 
organizations, including those on the Peninsula and in the City of San 
Francisco, should serve as an example to all of us on how each one of 
us can help our communities work to alleviate hunger and homelessness.

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