[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 48 (Thursday, April 25, 2002)]
[House]
[Page H1668]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   ``SHOE BOB'' AND INTERFAITH OUTREACH TEAM UP TO HELP HOMELESS IN 
                               MINNESOTA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Ramstad) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a true servant 
leader who proves, year after year, that one person can make a big 
difference in the lives of people in need.
  Bob Fisher of Bob's Shoe Repair in Wayzata, Minnesota has raised more 
than $1 million over the past 6 years by his winter ``sleep-outs'' to 
help people who are homeless.
  This past winter alone, on behalf of Interfaith Outreach and 
Community Partners, ``Shoe Bob,'' as we affectionately call him, raised 
$520,000 for Interfaith Outreach's community housing fund during his 
30-day sleep-out for the homeless.
  Sleeping outside in subzero temperatures in Minnesota winters, that 
has become Bob Fisher's trademark. Bob's well-worn tent and sleeping 
bag have not only raised badly needed funds to provide housing, but his 
sleep-outs have raised public awareness of the housing shortage and the 
increasing number of homeless families in our Lake Minnetonka 
community, State, and Nation.
  Bob is teamed up with other caring people at Interfaith Outreach and 
Community Partners who distribute the housing resources he raises to 
homeless families.
  Led by one of Minnesota's greatest humanitarians, LaDonna Hoy, and 
supported by an active board of truly charitable community leaders, 
Interfaith Outreach helps kick off Bob's sleep-out for the homeless 
each and every year.
  More than 500 supporters gathered on November 17 to kick off last 
year's sleep-out, featuring a soup supper with bread, hot chocolate, 
and water served by the Girl Scouts. And thanks to the Boy Scouts, four 
campfires kept everyone warm along Lake Street in Wayzata as the 
various churches that support Interfaith Outreach provided song and 
spirit.
  The distinguished mayors of our five neighboring communities issued 
their ``Housing Week'' proclamation, and 200 young students joined Bob 
Fisher in sleeping outside on the first night in the 2001 cold. Two 
local bank employees also slept outside with Bob to offer their 
support.
  Mr. Speaker, I know firsthand that Bob's sleep-outs are a true 
ordeal, as I slept outside in December of 1997 in below-zero 
temperatures as part of Bob's sleep-out for the homeless. It was a 
night of bone-chilling cold, well spent, as we raised several thousand 
dollars to help bring homeless families in from the cold.
  Mr. Speaker, every year the fundraising goal for Bob Fisher's sleep-
outs gets higher, reflecting his strong commitment, infectious 
enthusiasm and energy, as well as the increasing need for more 
affordable housing in the Twin Cities' western suburban area.
  Bob Fisher, Interfaith Outreach, and the people of our Lake 
Minnetonka communities are already looking forward to this year's 
``Housing Week,'' November 16 to 23, 2002, which will once again be 
kicked off by Bob Fisher's sleep-out for the homeless. In fact, 
Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners is working hard to expand 
this campaign by encouraging communities throughout Minnesota and the 
Nation to follow Bob Fisher's example.
  I urge my colleagues to take Bob Fisher's story back to their 
communities and tell their constituents how one person in Minnesota, a 
cobbler with a big heart, has made a big difference in the lives of 
countless homeless people.
  Tell America the story of ``Shoe Bob'' and his mission to help 
homeless families secure affordable housing. Tell America how one 
person has increased awareness of the homeless problem, bolstered 
community involvement in addressing the housing shortage, and raised 
more than $1 billion to help families with their housing crises.
  Yes, Mr. Speaker, Bob Fisher has proved that one person can make a 
big difference in the world, as he has walked in the shoes of the 
homeless. We salute you, Bob Fisher, just as we salute Interfaith 
Outreach and Community Partners.
  Our gratitude also goes out to all who have supported Shoe Bob's 
sleep-outs for the homeless. He is truly doing the Lord's work, and he 
represents the absolute best in public service.
  Thank you, Bob Fisher. Thank you to all my friends at Interfaith 
Outreach and Community Partners, and to the entire Lake Minnetonka 
area, those who have supported this worthwhile, important drive to help 
people who are homeless.

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