[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 61 (Wednesday, May 5, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E747]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E747]]
                 MARKING 120 YEARS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ANDER CRENSHAW

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 5, 2004

  Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the anniversary of a 
very helpful institution in Jacksonville, Florida. The institution is 
daniel. Their mission is to help youth build character by helping them 
forge strong values, enhance their self-worth, and erect a sense of 
community. I would like to enter into the record, a brief history of 
this organization, and how it came to help so many children through its 
120 years in operation.
  Established in 1884, daniel has met the physical and emotional needs 
of children. It is considered Florida's oldest child-serving agency. 
Originally founded as an orphanage, and later named after James 
Jaquelin Daniel, daniel has evolved into a multi-service agency that 
assists troubled youth and their families with a variety of innovative 
and nationally recognized programs.
  Originally established as the Orphanage and Home for the Friendless, 
its mission was ``to receive into a suitable home to support and 
provide for all who shall come under the provisions of the constitution 
as far as our means and facilities will enable us.''
  To meet this goal, a cottage was rented on the corner of Liberty and 
Ashley Street and a fund was started to open a permanent home. Three 
years later, a two-story frame building was built on the corner of 
Evergreen Avenue and Center Street.
  The earliest minutes of the organization that would become daniel 
begin with a Preface as follows:

       Before Organization a few children in the city occupied 
     themselves in the winter of '83-'84 in working for a little 
     fair, the proceeds to be devoted to the care of little orphan 
     children. Dell Hungerford, Edie Fitzgerald, Kitty and Eva 
     Havener began in a quiet way & soon other children became 
     interested and in Feb. 1884 quite a large company, old and 
     young, met at Mrs. A.L. Hungerford's where she had carefully 
     arranged a programme of interest to the children and where 
     all were supplied with good things under the supervision of 
     herself and the friends whom she had invited to assist her. 
     The proceeds amounted to $41.57 which were generously 
     supplemented by Mr. & Mrs. Hungerford by a donation of 
     $15.00.

  In 1888, a yellow fever epidemic ravaged the Jacksonville community. 
Colonel James Jaquelin Daniel, the president of the Auxiliary Sanitary 
Association, well-known attorney and religious leader, worked 
tirelessly to combat the disease and coordinate volunteer efforts. As a 
result, however, Daniel died of the fever. Financial contributions 
poured in from around the nation to ``build a living monument to his 
memory'' and the Daniel Memorial Association was formed and 
consolidated with the Orphanage in 1891. Daniel Memorial Home for 
children was incorporated in 1893.
  During the intervening years, the needs have changed as society and 
the family structures have changed, however, Daniel Memorial continues 
to support and provide for children as far as their means and 
facilities will allow.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be associated with the remarks concerning 
the history of this organization. Daniel currently assists up to 61 
children at any given time, ages 5 to 18 years of age, from throughout 
Florida. Daniel Memorial Incorporated also operates a charter school, 
foster homes, and other services for children.
  Mr. Speaker, let me conclude with this thought. Were it a perfect 
world, organizations like daniel would have no place in our society. 
But the sad truth is organizations like daniel are necessary and 
provide a vital service. Daniel truly makes a difference in the lives 
of children, and for our entire community. I ask my colleagues to join 
me today in recognizing the good work of daniel, all they have 
performed for the last 120 years, and in wishing daniel another 120 
years of community service.

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