[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 134 (Thursday, December 7, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2115]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE CHATTY HATTY RED HAT LADIES OF RAINBOW SPRINGS, FLORIDA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GINNY BROWN-WAITE

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 6, 2006

  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a 
group of women from Rainbow Springs, Florida who have gone above and 
beyond the call of duty in their efforts to help the soldiers serving 
in Iraq. The Chatty Hatty Red Hat Ladies of Rainbow Springs have 
adopted soldiers serving in Iraq, sending them care packages each and 
every month. The Ladies deserve recognition for their efforts.
  Earlier this year, the Red Hat Ladies contacted my office to find 
soldiers from the 5th District currently deployed in Iraq. The Ladies 
were looking to adopt a couple of soldiers from the district and to 
send them packages filled with necessities and goodies. These women 
wanted to let our troops know their friends back home support their 
service in the Global War on terror.
  As you might imagine, those first few soldiers grew to nearly 30 
soldiers that the Ladies eventually adopted. Each month they put 
together three large care packages for the troops, and once a quarter 
they send over a special box of movies so that the soldiers can have a 
``movie night,'' complete with packages of popcorn.
  To help celebrate Christmas, the Ladies and their friends took up 
collections and donations to ship the troops a Christmas tree with all 
the trimmings, as well as individual stockings stuffed with gifts. This 
way the soldiers can enjoy Christmas, even though they are still 
serving in Iraq and missing their friends, family, and loved ones.
  Mr. Speaker, volunteer groups like the Chatty Hatty Red Hat Ladies of 
Rainbow Springs are just one of the thousands of dedicated 
organizations throughout the Nation who support our troops overseas. 
Millions of Americans have donated their time and their money to ensure 
that our troops know the folks back home support their mission and hope 
they return home safely. The Red Hat Ladies are to be commended for 
starting this adopt-a-soldier program and for helping to brighten their 
days of service.

                          ____________________