[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 29 (Tuesday, March 9, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E334]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      PAYING TRIBUTE TO RICK ALLEN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 9, 2004

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
recognize the contributions of Rick Allen, the founder of the 
Christians Reach Out Ministries in Grand Junction, Colorado. His 
actions are all the more remarkable when one considers that he has 
overcome a crippling disability and his own homelessness, hurdles which 
he sees as God's way of preparing him for his path of service. His 
tireless efforts have motivated others in the community to join with 
him to give hope to those individuals, that society views as hopeless.
  In 1992, after nearly 20 years as a successful truck driver, Rick 
Allen developed debilitating carpel tunnel syndrome. Losing the use of 
his hands precipitated the loss of his job, home and family within a 
matter of months. Through the years of surviving under the harshest of 
conditions, Rick came to see his plight as God's way of educating him 
for his special mission to the homeless.
   In 1997, while still homeless and living in a church basement, he 
began preparing meals and serving them every Sunday at the park where 
many homeless spend their days. Soon, church members began to join Rick 
and the program became the Christians Reach Out Ministries. When Rick 
was awarded long term disability in 1998, he moved into a modest 
apartment, which he promptly put into use preparing meals for an ever 
increasing number of people. Rick is currently working on plans for a 
larger shelter, giving those in need access to healthcare and 
employment services, in order to make it possible to climb out of the 
pit of homelessness, which Rick knows firsthand.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to bring the service and vision of Rick 
Allen to the attention of this body of Congress, and to commend him for 
his outstanding dedication to his community. His mission to serve does 
not end with simply feeding the homeless, but rather in giving the 
homeless hope for a better life. I would like to wish him the best and 
sincerely thank him for his service.

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