[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 24, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E198]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING SUSAN BOOTH FOR HER OUTSTANDING COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 24, 2004

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today 
to join the many gathered to pay tribute to an outstanding member of 
our community, Susan Booth, as she is honored by the Devon Rotary and 
named a Paul Harris fellow. The Paul Harris fellow recognition was 
created in memory of Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary, as a way to 
show appreciation for contributions to the foundation's charitable and 
educational program. Every Paul Harris fellow receives a pin, medallion 
and a certificate when he or she becomes a fellow, identifying the 
recipient as an advocate of the foundation's goals of world peace and 
international understanding. The commitment and dedication that Susan 
has demonstrated is indeed a reflection of all that the Rotary stands 
for. It is wonderful to see her work so proudly recognized by her 
community.
  Founder of the Archway Foundation, Susan has spent nearly 15 years 
collecting donations to feed and clothe homeless children in Romania. 
Inspired by a television program about Romanian orphans abandoned when 
communism collapsed, Susan, a railroad conductor on a commuter train 
between Connecticut and New York's Grand Central Station, switched to 
night shifts so that she could earn a master's degree in social work. 
Upon completing her degree, Susan went to Bucharest on a week's 
vacation in search of these Romanian orphans who were living in sewers 
and abandoned buildings. With only a short list of contacts, Susan was 
fortunate to find an individual who knew where to look. ``In that 
sewer, I found my life's work,'' she has said. Indeed, she has 
dedicated countless hours to her mission.
  Operating out of her own home and a post office box, Susan collects 
clothing and donations and has been awarded hundreds of thousands in 
charitable grants. Through her hard work and the generosity of her 
contributors, Archway has been able to purchase two small homes in 
Romania as well as employ several Romanians. One of the homes is used 
as a soup kitchen from which volunteers take food out to hundreds of 
homeless children every week and provide groceries to squatter families 
who take refuge in abandoned buildings.
  It is not often that you find an individual with such dedication and 
commitment. Susan's good work has touched the lives of thousands of 
needy children. More importantly, she has inspired countless numbers of 
people to donate their time and energy to provide one of life's most 
precious gifts: hope.
  I am proud to stand today to join the Devon Rotary and the many 
family and friends who have gathered this evening in extending my 
sincere thanks and heart-felt congratulations to Susan Booth as she is 
named a Paul Harris fellow. Yours is a legacy that is sure to continue 
to inspire generations to come.

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