[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 81 (Tuesday, June 18, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1086]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN OPERATION APPRECIATION

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                            HON. BILL LUTHER

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 18, 2002

  Mr. LUTHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the 
contributions of Operation Appreciation, an organization whose hard 
work has helped improve the lives of those entrusted to protect our 
nation.
  Operation Appreciation was the direct result of a loving mother, 
Diana Low, and her two sons, Cody and Casey, wanting to show their 
gratitude for the men and women in charge of keeping this great nation 
safe. Diana wanted to teach her children the importance of voicing 
their thanks and admiration. She has no idea that this lesson would 
unite people from all over the country in the simple goal of saying 
thank you.
  After September 11th, I launched a similar program known as Letters 
from the Homeland. This program called on the people of Minnesota to 
write letters to the soldiers overseas. The outpouring of support was 
remarkable.
  Operation Appreciation took the idea to the next level. Through the 
efforts of the Low family, Operation Appreciation began with the 
heartfelt words of appreciation from children and then expanded to 
include classrooms in Minnesota. Now, similar letter writing campaigns 
have started in California, Illinois, Arizona and, Wisconsin. Thousands 
of children have voiced their gratitude for the men and women serving 
our nation in Afghanistan.
  Initiatives such as Operation Appreciation and Letters from the 
Homeland are an excellent way to tell the men and women in the armed 
forces their efforts are not going unnoticed. From the kids in the 
classroom to the soldiers in the field, everyone benefits.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
individuals involved in Operation Appreciation for their exceptional 
work in conveying the nation's support for our military personnel.

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