[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 54 (Monday, May 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E751]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING DOUGLAS AND SHARON STROUSE FOR THEIR COMMUNITY OUTREACH 
                                EFFORTS

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. C.A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 8, 2006

  Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to stand before you in 
recognition of the outstanding community outreach efforts of Mr. and 
Mrs. Douglas Strouse. Recently, the American Red Cross issued the 
Strouses with the Hometown Hero Education Award.
  Several years ago, the Strouse family suffered a great loss. Their 
daughter, Kristin Rita, like many young girls, battled depression. 
Unfortunately, her illness overwhelmed her and she took her own life.
  Dealing with the loss of a child is the ultimate challenge any parent 
can attempt to overcome. Although the loss was extremely difficult for 
them, the Strouses were able to triumph by using their pain as 
motivation. The couple developed the Kristin Rita Strouse Foundation 
(KRSF) which raises awareness of the illness, develops methods of 
prevention, and provides high schools and universities with educational 
resources.
  Many of today's youth struggle with their private pain; they often 
need some type of intervention but are unable to find it. Kristin was a 
talented girl with a passion for art. Her natural-born gift led her to 
the Parson School of Design. Shortly before her death, she created a 
work which is the inspiration of the annual ``Yellow Dress Golf Classic 
Dinner and Live Auction,'' which raises money for depression awareness 
and provides funding for the foundation. Doug and Sharon Strouse have 
made a conscious effort to guarantee others will not suffer in silence. 
As a tribute to their daughter, they have devoted their energy to 
saving the lives of those who still have a fighting chance.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join with me in honoring Douglas and Sharon 
Strouse as well as the memory of their daughter, Kristin Rita Strouse. 
It took an incredible amount of strength to build this successful 
organization and they must be commended for the assistance and 
education they are providing to this nation's youth.

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