[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 134 (Friday, October 11, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1848]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING THE CONVOY OF HOPE IN SPRINGFIELD, MO

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ROY BLUNT

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 10, 2002

  Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Convoy of Hope 
being organized in Springfield, MO on October 26, National Make-A-
Difference Day. Volunteers make a difference in the quality of a nation 
and how we treat the less fortunate. A great number of community 
services rely on volunteers. Volunteers come from all walks of life and 
often have the skills and experiences of a lifetime of work that make 
them invaluable resources and problem solvers.
  On October 26, the Convoy of Hope will bring 1,000 volunteers 
together to honor 5,000 guests--the working poor and the needy. These 
guests will receive a hot lunch, medical and dental screenings at a 
health carnival, a KiddsZone carnival, free haircuts, services from 
state and local agencies, and job search activities.
  This is an effort by dozens of local churches to reach out to the 
poor and needy and raise awareness of local needs in our communities. 
The goal is to improve the quality of life for the less fortunate and 
to share a message of spiritual faith and hope.
  These churches in Springfield, Missouri share the same goal as the 
U.S. Congress. In the last five decades, Congress has created and 
expanded and re-created dozens of programs to help the less fortunate. 
In contrast, the churches and faith-based organizations of our nation 
have an even longer history and a greater number of success stories to 
tell about these compassionate endeavors. These organizations also seem 
to accomplish their goals more efficiently and with less cost than many 
programs created by the Congress.
  The Convoy of Hope will touch the lives of thousands of volunteers 
and guests on October 26, 2002 and unite them in a meaningful 
expression meant to change lives not only for that day but for days to 
come. I wish them great success in this undertaking.

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