[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 73 (Thursday, June 6, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E973]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  A TRIBUTE TO JOHN Z. SHEARER, ROBERT KOENIG, ALMA COLLINS AND MARGE 
                                ROSSITER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BILL SHUSTER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 5, 2002

  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize four residents in 
my district, John Z. Shearer, Robert Koenig, Alma Collins, and Marge 
Rossiter for each being named a volunteer of the year by four member 
organizations of the South Central Directors of Volunteers Association. 
Each of these individuals have given their communities a great service 
by giving of themselves and their time. Their service is a tremendous 
gift to the many people they help.
  John Z. Shearer was recognized by the Franklin County Volunteer 
Transportation Network for driving more that 1,000 miles since November 
and donating 43 hours to provide transportation to people in need of 
medical services outside Franklin County. In addition to this work, Mr. 
Shearer also volunteers for the Toy Mission, Kiwanis, Meals on Wheels, 
and directs/manages the chorus of AARP Falling Spring Chapter 280.
  Robert Koenig was recognized by the Franklin County Literacy Council 
for being a volunteer tutor and assisting with fund-raising and special 
projects. In addition to his work at the council, Mr. Koenig also 
volunteers at the Ragged Edge Library and with the Scotland School for 
Veterans Children football team.
  Alma Collins was recognized by the Shook Home and The Quarters At 
Shook for her positive attitude, reliability, and willingness to help.
  Marge Rossiter was recognized by the Volunteer Association of South 
Mountain Restoration Center for being a volunteer since 1977, serving 
her third term as president of the association and serving as 
chairperson for another of the association's volunteer groups, 
International Party Givers.
  The services these volunteers provide do not come with a price, but 
the dividends of their work are precious and valuable. They have given 
their time unselfishly and have asked for nothing in return. Through 
their example we learn that a smile, a thank you, or just the knowledge 
that you have done a good deed can provide a personal reward that fills 
the corners of your heart in ways that a paycheck will never be big 
enough to do.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking all 
volunteers for their noble work and congratulating John Z. Shearer, 
Robert Koenig, Alma Collins, and Marge Rossiter for receiving the 
recognition of volunteer of the year. I would also like to put forth a 
challenge to young people, in my district as well as other parts of the 
country, to follow in the footsteps of these individuals. President 
George W. Bush, in his last State of the Union Address, challenged all 
of us to give two years or 4,000 hours of service over our lifetimes. 
If the President were here today I am positive he would shake these 
four volunteers' hands and hold them up as examples for others to 
follow. Our communities are in need of volunteers, people that are 
willing to provide a helping hand and give from their hearts. This 
country has a generous spirit of goodwill and kindness, I urge others 
to use this as their motivation to become as involved in bettering 
their communities as the four volunteers we have recognized today.

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