[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 32 (Tuesday, March 14, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E356]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO GREGORY GAINES

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                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 14, 2006

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, the University of Michigan-Flint Alumni 
Society is bestowing their Community Service Award on Gregory Gaines of 
the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Addictions. The award will 
be presented to him at the 2006 Annual Alumni Leadership Awards 
ceremony on March 23. Greg was chosen to receive this award because of 
the selfless amount of time and energy he has devoted to running the 
Mr. Rogers ``Say No'' Program in the Flint community.
  After earning a bachelor of applied science degree in 1989, Greg has 
worked with at-risk young men in our community to instill them with 
discipline, hardwork, and pride. Through his program over 1,800 boys 
have benefited from his training. His innovative approach, to have the 
boys grow the produce they sell at the Farmers' Market, teaches them 
the value of hard work, responsibility, working together, patience, 
problem solving and self-control. Greg works with boys that come from 
inner city, single parent homes and are prime targets for the lure of 
alcohol and drugs. With his guidance these boys are able to see the 
benefits of education and hard work. They develop the skills and 
patience to work toward long-range goals instead of succumbing to the 
immediate gratification of substance abuse.
  The Mr. Rogers Program has proved to be so successful that for the 
first time girls will be brought into the program starting in the 
summer of 2006. Last year Greg won the Genesee County Children's 
Champion Awards Caring Adult prize and the Mr. Rogers Program was a 
finalist for the Outstanding Business/Corporation.
  Mr. Speaker, day in and day out, Greg Gaines makes the Flint 
community a better place. His hands on approach to helping our children 
requires enthusiasm, tolerance, and persistence. Greg has proven he is 
equal to the task and his devotion to our greatest resource, our 
children, is to be commended. I ask the House of Representatives to 
rise with me today and applaud the accomplishments of Gregory Gaines as 
he receives the Community Service Award from his alma mater, the 
University of Michigan-Flint.

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