[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 125 (Friday, September 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1938]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              CONGRATULATING THE HONORABLE W. WILSON GOODE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CHAKA FATTAH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 29, 2006

  Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Honorable 
W. Wilson Goode, 2006 recipient of the Purpose Prize, a new and 
exciting award by Civic Ventures that honors and promotes social 
entrepreneurs who are age 60 or older. Over 1200 people competed for 
five $100,000 gifts, creating publicity and support for programs 
developed to address society's biggest challenges.
  Wilson Goode, former Mayor of Philadelphia, left government in 1992 
after earning a Doctorate  in Ministry, and moved into the nonprofit 
world. At age 62, he committed himself to helping the seven million 
children in America who have one or both parents in jail, on parole, or 
under state or federal supervision. Research shows that without 
intervention, 70 percent of these children are likely to follow their 
parents to jail. As Director of Amachi, Wilson Goode has championed a 
proven method of intervention, mentoring with a faith-based recruitment 
strategy. He has rallied pastors, particularly in the African-American 
community, to engage their members. Today, more than 240 programs in 48 
states are connected with Amachi, and have helped more than 30,000 
children.

  Mr. Speaker, I also would like to commend Civic Ventures, along with 
Purpose Prize, the Atlantic Philanthropies, and the John Templeton 
Foundation, for their vision and generosity in creating this important 
stimulus for expanding citizen initiative for public good. The Purpose 
Prize joins Experience Corps as an important innovation by Civic 
Ventures, a nonprofit organization dedicated to generating ideas and 
programs to help society achieve the greatest return on the experience 
of older adults. I believe these programs will help transform society's 
view of aging, and lead to better investments in America's greatest 
untapped resource, which are experienced and engaged older adults.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in extending my heartfelt congratulations 
and appreciation to Wilson Goode, and wish him continued success.

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