[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 24, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E194]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF LUBBOCK

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RANDY NEUGEBAUER

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 24, 2004

  Mr. NEUGEBAUER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and acknowledge 
the Junior League of Lubbock as they celebrate their 50th Anniversary. 
Through the course of my life, I have seen the Junior League do amazing 
things. As their mission statement reads, they were created to be ``an 
organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing 
the potential of women, and improving our community through the 
effective action of trained volunteers''. As innovative and radical as 
this mission statement sounded half a century ago, the League stands 
firm today, backed by a half century of successes.
  In February of 1954, the Junior Welfare League of Lubbock was born 
into the Association of Junior Leagues International. Armed with a 
charter that was approved on March 15 of the same year, theirs has been 
a story of untiring determination and commitment. They have, over the 
past fifty years, been the gateway for several incredible women who 
have dedicated themselves to the cause of society. The League has 
consistently helped these women gain invaluable training and leadership 
skills, while providing for innumerable volunteer opportunities. 
Moreover, the fundraisers conducted by the organization over past years 
have borne fruit in the form of approximately three million dollars. 
This amount has added to the sparkle of the Lubbock community in the 
form of several outstanding and worthwhile projects. For example, 
Ronald McDonald House, Safety City, Fire Safety House, Children's 
Advocacy Center, and Legacy Play Village are just a few of their many 
noted accomplishments.
  In this age and era, one often hears of how the cloud of selfishness 
and distrust has eclipsed our world. However, looking upon an 
organization like the Junior Welfare League of Lubbock, one cannot help 
but experience the light of compassion and giving that motivates it. It 
is even more impressive when one considers the discipline with which 
the volunteers work and coordinate. Without doubt, the League has 
whole-heartedly striven to fulfill the goals that they set when they 
were first formed.
  The 183rd member to join the Association of Junior Leagues 
International, the Lubbock League is named as one of its finest 
chapters today. Indeed, it is impossible to imagine Lubbock without its 
beloved Junior Welfare League. Through their various volunteer 
projects, the organization has been instrumental in propelling 
Lubbock's growing prosperity. More importantly, it has served to act as 
an influential wind wane for the youth, and has repeatedly inspired the 
community to take up more volunteer projects. The organization's 
integrity and service-minded approach has endeared it to all the 
residents of Lubbock, and I am sure that I am not alone when I say that 
it has become a part of Lubbock history and society.
  To dream of social work is not difficult. However, to actually 
persevere toward implementing that dream is not easy because it takes a 
lot of dedication, creativity and initiative. And so, when we celebrate 
50 years of existence of the Lubbock's Junior Welfare League, we are 
actually celebrating those qualities and people that have made these 50 
years a successful reality.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in extending my hearty congratulations to 
the Junior League of Lubbock. I applaud them and extend my sincere 
wishes for all their future endeavors.




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