[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 89 (Friday, June 28, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S6317]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            COMMUNITY HEROES

 Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. President I rise today to recognize 
some community heroes in my home State of Oregon. The Agape House, 
which has been serving needy families in the Hermiston area for 15 
years, is one of those rare organizations that dedicates its efforts 
entirely to the service of others.
  Founded in 1987, Agape House began as a small group of volunteers 
providing food and clothing to approximately 100 families a month. Over 
the years, Agape House has been able to expand its reach, and last 
month was able to help 644 families in need. Food and clothing still 
constitute the majority of the assistance provided by Agape House's 
volunteers, but they are often able to help local residents with energy 
bills, prescription drug bills, emergency shelter, and any number of 
other unmet daily needs.
  Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of Agape House's work is that it 
is done by a large number of area volunteers who take turns staffing 
the Agape House. On any given day, six to eight volunteers work at 
Agape House, but they are seldom the same six to eight people who were 
there the day before. Not only do its many volunteers come from the 
community, but Agape House relies primarily on food, clothing, and 
financial donations from local citizens. Agape House is truly a 
community effort, and, for that reason, has been uniquely successful in 
providing assistance to the needy families of western Umatilla County.
  One recent and extraordinary example of Agape House's effectiveness 
involves a young single mother in the Hermiston area. As a young single 
mother with three mouths to feed, this jobless Hermiston woman relied 
on Agape House for many of her family's daily needs. When she was 
finally able to find work, she struggled to get to and from her job 
because she could not afford a car, and was at risk of finding herself 
jobless once again. Seeing her problems, Agape House stepped in and 
gave her a car. A car is not a typical charitable gift to a young woman 
in need. With her new car, this young woman flourished at her job, and 
Agape House, which once served this woman nearly every day, has not had 
a visit from her since the day she received her car. This is just one 
example of how Agape House goes the extra mile to help people truly 
become self-sufficient, which takes much more dedication than simply 
providing temporary relief.
  I think it is important to recognize organizations like Agape House 
here on the Senate floor. The staff and volunteers associated with 
Agape House are heroes to their community, and are shining examples of 
what can be accomplished by a generous group of civic-minded citizens. 
I appreciate the important work they do each and every day, and want 
them to know that their efforts do not go unnoticed by those outside 
Umatilla County.

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