[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 129 (Friday, October 4, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1764]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         GENE AND POCO GERTLER

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. BOB STUMP

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 3, 2002

  Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the spirit of 
charity and two very good people in my district.
  Gene and Poco Gertler joined us in Prescott just a few years ago, but 
they have made quite a difference for our community. While they came to 
enjoy retirement in Arizona, they ended up working harder than they 
ever imagined--not for themselves, but to improve the lives of other 
Arizonans.
  One day, while cleaning out closets for the winter, they decided to 
donate their surplus clothes to the citizens of the Hopi reservation 
250 miles north of Prescott. And, since there was extra room in the 
pickup truck, Gene sent an e-mail to 21 neighbors and friends, giving 
them the opportunity to add their contributions.
  Well, instead of the few bags of clothing Gene and Poco expected, 
neighbors showed up with over 600 pounds of donations--enough that they 
had to rent a trailer. Many of the donations came from families the 
Gertlers didn't know, but who had heard about the trip by word of 
mouth.
  Word continued to spread, and the Gertlers' one-time visit to the 
reservation became a regular shuttle. Furniture and other household 
items joined the clothes, and soon there was too much for the pickup 
and trailer. It seemed like every load was bigger than the last. Many 
people would be overwhelmed, or say, ``I've done my part.'' Gene and 
Poco bought a bigger truck and a bigger trailer and kept on hauling.
  The years bring new challenges to all of us, and sadly, Gene and Poco 
have found that they are no longer able to carry on their work. But 
that wasn't until they had rounded up and personally delivered over 
25,000 pounds--yes, over twelve tons--of clothing, furniture, and other 
assistance for Arizona's Native Americans. All for no remuneration 
other than knowing they'd helped keep other people warm.
  The Bible says, ``By their works shall ye know them.'' We sure know 
about Gene and Poco. And we are proud to call them our neighbors.

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