[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 131 (Tuesday, October 8, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1786]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO SAN FRANCISCO NETWORK MINISTRIES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 8, 2002

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor San Francisco Network 
Ministries on the occasion of its 30th anniversary. Since its founding 
in 1972, this group has had a significant impact on the Tenderloin 
neighborhood of San Francisco, a neighborhood that 25,000 call home and 
a neighborhood that has been No. 1 in homicides, assaults, drug use, 
and incidence of HIV.
  The mission of SFNM is a true reflection of who they are and of their 
significance in the Tenderloin: ``San Francisco Network ministries is 
devoted to the people of the Tenderloin neighborhood with whom they 
work cooperatively for the empowerment of all, proclaiming good news 
for the poor and seeking liberty for those who are oppressed. SFNM 
believes that everyone has been given gifts for the common good, and 
they seek to draw out and affirm those gifts through personal, face-to-
face ministry.''
  The work of Network Ministries' focuses on serving the multicultural 
population of the Tenderloin neighborhood as well as 6,000 frail 
elderly persons and 4,000 children. Programs include a computer 
training center, construction of and services to low income apartments, 
SafeHouse for women leaving prostitution, memorial services for the 
poor and homeless, a residential hotel ministry, an AIDS Resource 
Center, and a support program for volunteers in pastoral care among the 
frail elderly.
  Network Ministries has always drawn together partners and entered 
into coalitions to work on specific issues of importance to the people 
of the Tenderloin and other poor people. This approach enables the 
organization to be a leader in bringing compassionate, effective 
service to those who need it. It has fostered and/or created other 
agencies, serving as a role model for those who believe that you can 
get a lot more done when you don't focus on who gets the credit.
  Mr. Speaker, San Francisco Network Ministries is an inspiration to 
its partners, to the community it serves, and to all of us who care 
about our fellow human beings. I am proud to honor the work they have 
been doing for 30 years, important work that will continue to have an 
impact on the lives they touch. And, I am particularly honored to be 
the long-time friend of the Rev. Glenda Hope who, with her late husband 
Scott Hope, founded this exemplary organization.

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