[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 86 (Wednesday, June 28, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1304]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING THE COMMUNITY OF BARNES, KANSAS

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                            HON. JERRY MORAN

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 28, 2006

  Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
citizens of Barnes, KS, for continuing efforts to sustain and 
revitalize their community.
  Deb Kruse, local bank manager and active civic volunteer, wants to 
see her hometown raise another generation of Kansans. ``We are very 
fortunate and blessed to have a community that pulls together to 
support our businesses and projects that need volunteer or financial 
assistance,'' Kruse said. ``We have a lot to offer--not always a large 
salary--but caring friends and neighbors.''
  Despite its small size--144 people--Barnes is bustling with activity.
  More than a year ago, the city council started a successful 
initiative to rehabilitate and demolish old houses. To date, eight 
homes have been rehabilitated and five old structures have been 
demolished.
  The volunteer fire department is made up of 20 dedicated members. 
With the assistance of local and Federal funding, the department has 
successfully upgraded its pumper truck, safety equipment, information 
system and continuing education requirements.
  More than 20 years ago, the Barnes Community Development Corporation 
was formed to help sponsor important community services and events. In 
1995, the corporation purchased and still operates the Hometown Cafe. 
The corporation is also working to preserve the Barnes Gym which hosts 
Bingo every Thursday night and is utilized for wedding receptions, 
programs, plays and other community events. Through the years, the 
corporation has organized many community activities and celebrations: 
Barnes Old Home Days, Water Garden Tours, Washington County Junior Miss 
Scholarship Program and the Annual Barnes Lighted Horse Parade.
  Close to four years ago, residents came together to open a faith-
based youth center called The Refuge. Thanks to generous personal 
donations of time and money, The Refuge is currently located in a 
renovated one room school house. Adult mentors, otherwise known as 
``Servants of the Refuge,'' provide area youth opportunities to gather 
and grow through meaningful community service projects.
  Rehabilitation of the Barnes I.O.O.F. Park was initiated by Ms. 
Marilyn Laflin, a Master Gardener, who donated her time and expertise 
to the project. Community members have donated lamps, benches and 
various other items to the park in memory of loved ones. The local 
Lion's Club has been instrumental in maintaining the beauty of all 
community parks. In addition, the club provides assistance to the 
Hometown Cafe, makes improvements to the local ball field and band 
shell, and erected the town's welcome signs.

  Our Daily Bread Family Bake Shoppe and Bistro is a family owned 
business that started out of a two car garage in December of 2002. 
Since October of 2003, people have come from all over to dine on 
delicious homemade meals in a beautiful, historic 100-year-old downtown 
building. The success of Our Daily Bread is testament to what is 
possible, with creativity and hard work, in rural America.
  The newest community entity is the Barnes Trust for Historic 
Preservation. The trust is in the formation stage and is charged with 
preserving and restoring the historical identity of the community. The 
trust's first priority will be to help restore the Barnes State Bank.
  The city maintains an extensive Web site that includes a list of 26 
entities on its business and organization directory. That list includes 
three antique shops, three churches, two bed and breakfasts, two 
automobile repair shops, two building contractors and a plumber.
  Gloria Moore, city treasurer, knows it is no accident that so much is 
taking place in such a small town. ``The individuals that have started 
businesses in Barnes have invested their money and talents to keep our 
community alive,'' Moore said. ``We could live anywhere in the world 
but choose to live in a small community, because we're sold on rural 
Kansas.''
  For rural communities to survive and prosper into the future, 
citizens must be willing to create their own opportunities for success. 
Ongoing efforts to revitalize Barnes are an example of how hard work, 
vision and community support can create just such an opportunity.
  Citizens throughout Kansas are working together to enhance the 
quality of life in their communities. Barnes is a success story that 
demonstrates how teamwork and creative thinking can make a positive 
difference in rural America.

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