[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 115 (Thursday, September 12, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1568]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO SISTER LORRAINE BIEBEL

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ROY BLUNT

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 12, 2002

  Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to praise the work and amazing 
accomplishment of a Franciscan nun who has left a lasting mark on 
Springfield, Missouri. She has overcome adversity and criticism to win 
the respect of many of her peers by creating important social services 
that have helped the less fortunate people of Springfield, Missouri.
  In 1983, Sister Lorraine Biebel took on the temporary assignment of 
opening a soup kitchen in Springfield. Since then, Sister Lorraine has 
remained at the helm of what has become known as the Kitchen Ministry. 
Today the ministry that Sister Lorraine started has a $3.5 million 
budget, nine buildings, a small army of volunteers and a reputation for 
helping anyone with a legitimate need.
  Sister Lorraine has been a vigilant visionary and leader to meet the 
demands of those less fortunate. It has been a labor of love and faith. 
Biebel's holistic approach has seen the conversion of an old hotel into 
a 90-room shelter with three dormitories and transitional housing. The 
Family Nurturing Center offers childcare for infants and pre-schoolers, 
as well as after school programs. There are also counseling services, 
walk-in medical services, dental clinics, and mental health counseling. 
In addition, it offers referral services, job programs, out reach 
programs for at-risk youth, literacy and GED training. Sister Lorraine 
helped to create a free store for residents and a thrift store for the 
community that offers free household items, clothing, and food for 
those people trying to improve their family unit or get back on their 
feet.
  In praise of the God she serves, Sister Lorraine's faith is what has 
driven her to these accomplishments. Sister Lorraine has been a 
tireless servant of God's compassion for the disadvantaged, the 
homeless, and the countless volunteers who have rallied to support the 
programs.
  With the naming of her successor, Tobias Meeker, Sister Lorraine is 
retiring but her work will not end. She hopes to reactivate the Little 
Portion Retreat Center where she lives in Republic, Missouri. There she 
promises to continue to nurture the spiritual health of others in a 
less stressful environment.
  Sister Lorraine Biebel and the Kitchen Ministry are a wonderful 
example of the substantial social changes faith based initiatives can 
bring to a community's less fortunate population. Working with the 
federal and state government, local charities, churches of many 
denominations, and generous donors, Sister Lorraine has molded a 
multifaceted ministry that provides shelter, clothing, health care, 
counseling, education, job skill training, and spiritual guidance. The 
Kitchen Ministries have professionally and cost-effectively provided 
these services and care in a manner in which the federal government 
could not. The ministry is the work of many caring people, led by a 
woman of great faith whose work has touched thousands of lives.
  We wish Sister Lorraine good health and best wishes in her 
retirement.

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