[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 76 (Wednesday, June 14, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1145-E1146]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO THUNDER BAY QUILT GUILD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 14, 2006

  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise on this Flag Day to commend a group 
of my constituents who are, in their own unique way, honoring our 
troops and offering comfort to our war injured servicemen and 
servicewomen.
  Most people have never heard of Atlanta, Michigan. However, just 
because the town is small in population, does not mean it is not big on 
patriotism. This was demonstrated most recently by the area's Thunder 
Bay Quilt Guild.
  The Thunder Bay Quilt Guild is a group of area women who meet every 
Thursday to work on quilting projects. Sometimes the quilters work on 
their own individual projects, but often there is a special project 
these quilters eagerly undertake.
  In the past, the Guild has assisted a variety of important charities. 
For instance, the Guild has sewn quilts for use in neonatal hospitals 
to keep children between birth and four years of age warm during their 
stay in the hospital.
  While these dedicated quilters often do admirable work, most recently 
the Thunder Bay Quilt Guild paid tribute to our fighting men and women 
who have returned home from Iraq and Afghanistan and could use some 
basic comfort. Already, the Guild has prepared and shipped 60 ``Hero 
Quilts'' to Walter Reed Hospital where they are being distributed to 
troops who have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan with injuries.
  Each quilt is sewn with a red, white and blue pattern and has affixed 
to it a simple message that reads, ``This Hero's Quilt was made for you 
by members of the Thunder Bay Quilt Guild. It comes with our prayers 
for your recovery and our heartfelt thanks for your service to our 
country.''
  Approximately 60 women belong to the Guild and pitched in on this 
effort, delivering to our troops a simple reminder that, back home, 
they are remembered and recognized as heroes.
  The impetus for this idea came from Cathy McIntee, another Michigan 
native who had friends in the Thunder Bay Quilt Guild. Ms. McIntee's 
son is currently serving in Iraq and Ms. McIntee designed the first 
``Hero Quilt.'' The members of the Thunder Bay Quilt Guild then rallied 
together in support of the cause and began sewing quilts for wounded 
heroes for delivery to Walter Reed.
  Mr. Speaker, quilting enjoys a rich heritage in American history. As 
the activity has evolved over the years, quilting has become a way to 
bring people in a community together through quilting guilds or 
``quilting bees.'' Quilting is also a way to honor and preserve 
American history. Many of these organizations are extremely altruistic, 
generously donating their work to charities, the needy and others.
  Clearly, the Thunder Bay Quilt Guild exemplifies that tradition. 
Their ``Hero Quilts'' are an impressive example of how even a small 
community, when inspired and united, can lend support to those who need 
it most.

[[Page E1146]]

  As one might expect, the members of the Thunder Bay Quilt Guild are 
modest about their contributions. As JoEllen Moulton, one of their 
leading members remarked, ``Others have given so much more than us.''
  Nonetheless, for the wounded servicemen and servicewomen at Walter 
Reed hospital, I am certain that the arrival of a handmade quilt was a 
pleasant surprise and a source of comfort. This contribution from the 
Thunder Bay Quilt Guild in the small town of Atlanta, Michigan was, 
indeed, a big accomplishment and, Mr. Speaker, I ask you and the U.S. 
House of Representatives to join me on this Flag Day in thanking these 
patriotic, dedicated quilters for their work.

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