[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 99 (Tuesday, July 17, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H4100]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      IN HONOR OF MAISIE DeVORE AND THE PEOPLE OF ESKRIDGE, KANSAS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moran) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening in honor of one 
of my constituents, Maisie DeVore, of Eskridge, Kansas. Her story, that 
I want to describe here in a few moments, demonstrates what one 
determined person can do to make a difference in the lives of others 
and in the life of her community.
  Maisie DeVore is 82 years old. Thirty years ago, Maisie decided that 
her community of Eskridge, population 530, needed a swimming pool; and 
she set about raising the funds to build one.
  Over the course of 3 decades, Maisie earned a few dollars at a time 
by collecting aluminum cans, selling homemade jelly, and auctioning off 
her homemade afghans. Over the years, Maisie's hard work earned her 
more than $100,000, which, coupled with a $73,000 granted from the 
State of Kansas, provided the funds necessary to make her vision a 
reality.
  The Eskridge Community Pool officially opened this past Saturday, 
July 14, 2001. Maisie was telling me this past Saturday that when she 
started this project, her kids were 7 and 12. They are now adults 
living in another community; but, still, the pool was opened.
  Fittingly, Maisie was the first person in the pool. She was soon 
followed by about 50 of the younger residents of Eskridge. I was 
fortunate to be in Eskridge to share this city-wide celebration that 
was declared Maisie DeVore Day.
  At the completion of her many years of work, Maisie's accomplishment 
has drawn the attention of State and national media and will be 
featured this Sunday on the CBS Sunday Morning Show.
  Maisie's commitment to the welfare of her community and neighbors is 
a great example of service and leadership. More than the accomplishment 
of a personal goal, Maisie's success is a uniting theme for an entire 
community. Her story demonstrates that one individual, one individual, 
can bring a community together and truly make a difference in the lives 
of others.
  The completion of this project marks a major achievement for Maisie 
DeVore and for the community of Eskridge. This facility promises to be 
a tremendous asset and a source of pride for this small community.
  This story is about small-town America and what the life of one 
individual can do to benefit his or her neighbors.
  So I rise tonight on the floor of the House of Representatives to 
commend Maisie DeVore for her unending work, her vision, and her 
completion of this community project. I salute Maisie DeVore and the 
community of Eskridge.

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