[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 178 (Thursday, December 20, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2351]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             JUNIOR SERVICE LEAGUE OF PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ALLEN BOYD

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 19, 2001

  Mr. BOYD. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize and commend the 
Junior Service League of Panama City, Florida as that group celebrates 
its 50th anniversary of service to our community. The Junior Service 
League is a remarkable organization, dedicated to training women for 
leadership in serving their communities. It is committed to promoting 
volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and improving the 
community through the effective action and leadership of trained 
volunteers. The women of Panama City have certainly demonstrated during 
the past half century that hard work and good spirits can make a 
powerful difference in the community that we live in.
  The Junior Service League of Panama City was founded on October 12, 
1951 and had twenty charter members. The founding members' goals were 
to foster interest in the social, economic, educational, cultural, and 
civic conditions of the community; to promote the interest of its 
members in volunteer service to the community; and to work in harmony 
with the policies of the Association of Junior Leagues. The group began 
making a strong impact then, and I am proud to report that their work 
has not only continued but has intensified since that time. The 2000-
2001 League year marks the 50th anniversary of this outstanding 
organization with over 80 active members and over 200 sustainer members 
still dedicated to the goals established by its charter members.
  The largest yearly project for the League is called Child Service 
Center through which students that are recognized as needing financial 
assistance are given new clothing, which is paid for by the League and 
Target. It is a day of shopping and fun for the children. They are 
allowed to choose the clothing so that when they put on these new 
clothes they feel they were a part of the selection and really own the 
clothes. This obviously helps to foster self-esteem, which is needed 
with some of these children. With a Fall and Spring Child Service 
Center, the League was able to clothe 915 students last year. For those 
not able to attend, the League offered clothing to an additional 199 
students.
  Volunteer opportunities within the League include: After School 
Assistance Program (ASAP), Domestic Violence, Kids on the Block (a 
puppet show used to teach children about domestic violence, handicapped 
people, or divorce), Teen Court, and Mentorship Program (where a mentor 
is paired with a student that is not doing well in school). These 
different volunteer placements change as the needs of the community 
change.
  Mr. Speaker, League members have a strong history as State and 
community leaders, and I commend the Junior Service League of Panama 
City for their continuing legacy of service and achievement. I am 
delighted to congratulate them on its 50th Anniversary and I wish them 
many more years of successful service to their community.

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