[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 50 (Thursday, March 27, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E612]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        IN HONOR OF HUGH AND MARTY DOWNEY AND THE PLACE OF HOPE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 27, 2003

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Hugh and 
Marty Downey of Arvada, Colorado, who have dedicated their lives to 
over five hundred orphans in Matoso, Kenya.
  Raising more than $300,000 a year through private donations and small 
businesses, the Downeys are able to run a home and medical center for 
the children that is known as ``the place of hope'' or Lalmba to the 
people of Kenya.
  Stationed with the U.S. Army as a communications specialist in Africa 
over forty years ago, Hugh Downey knew little of Africa and the role he 
would play with Kenya's children. Today, he and Marty spend six months 
out of the year raising 500 children in African grass huts and the 
other six months with their own grown children back in Colorado.
  Home to 2.2 million out of 3 million AIDS victims, Africa has found 
itself in an epidemic affecting both children and adults. In Kenya, 
190,000 deaths a year are caused by HIV/AIDS, so it is not surprising 
that the majority of the Downey's orphans were born to parents who died 
from AIDS. The rate of Kenyans contracting the AIDS virus has doubled 
in the past decade, and will continue to rise and affect children.
  As AIDS continues to greatly affect the African economy and society, 
Marty and Hugh Downey have been called upon to educate and house an 
increasing number of orphans. Many African adults, because they suffer 
from AIDS, are unable to support their families--in fact, their 
children are forced to drop out of school and work to support their 
dying parents. As the cost for AIDS medication and school fees 
increase, most children have no choice but to begin working at a young 
age. By offering education and preventive AIDS medication for the 
children, the Downey's are giving these Kenyan children the chance at a 
future.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Marty and Hugh Downey for 
their dedication and commitment to bettering the future for over 500 
African children with their creation of Lalmba and to wish them 
continued success with their chosen mission of mercy and hope.

                          ____________________