[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 60 (Tuesday, May 4, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E734]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE WORK OF THE PLEASANT VIEW RELIEF SOCIETY AND THEIR GROUP 
                       VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CHRIS CANNON

                                of utah

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 4, 2004

  Mr. CANNON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the work of a group of 
women from Utah's Third Congressional District for their dedication to 
helping children that have been victims of abuse. On Wednesday, May 5, 
2004, the Pleasant View Relief Society will be honored at the National 
Children's Alliance annual luncheon with the Volunteer Group Leadership 
Award of 2004.
  Working with the Utah County Children's Justice Center, this group, 
now affectionately known as the ``Teddy Bear Ladies,'' has created over 
10,000 handmade teddy bears for distribution to children receiving 
social services as a result of severe abuse. What started as a simple 
service project has now turned into a labor of love for these giving 
women. Not only do the Teddy Bear Ladies donate their time and money to 
this worthy project, but they also help give these children a fresh 
start after years of abuse.
  What is remarkable about these ladies is not just their work, but 
also the ladies themselves. These dedicated volunteers range in age 
from the early 20s to mid 90s. Some of the younger volunteers thread 
needles for the older members of the group. Not even illness can stop 
the Teddy Bear Ladies from their work. One woman continued to sew teddy 
bears while suffering from severe headaches as a result from a brain 
tumor.
  The Teddy Bear Ladies from Utah County represent what all Americans 
should strive to be: caring, dedicated, giving and compassionate. 
Through volunteering their time and talents, they are making a real 
difference in one Utah community.

                          ____________________