[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 135 (Friday, December 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2139]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING LARRY STEWART

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. SAM GRAVES

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 6, 2006

  Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
speak about a very special Missourian.
  Larry Stewart has spent the past 27 years selflessly giving to the 
people of Kansas City. Mr. Stewart is a kind-hearted businessman from 
Lee's Summit, Missouri, and until recently, was known to many only as 
the ``Secret Santa.'' Every December since 1979, Mr. Stewart has 
wandered the streets of Kansas City quietly searching for people in 
need, and handing them $100 bills.
  This honorable tradition began with a generous tip to a stranger. Mr. 
Stewart had just been fired from his job, the week before Christmas, 
and drove to a drive-in restaurant to cheer himself up. As soon as he 
saw what the $20 bill he had handed the waitress meant to her, he 
withdrew $200 from his bank account and drove around looking for people 
who seemed like they could use a lift. He has been handing out cash to 
people in need every December since. This year, with the help of a few 
special elves and four specially trained Secret Santas, he will hand 
out $165,000.
  Unfortunately, Mr. Stewart will also be spending this December 
fighting his esophageal cancer. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to 
keep Mr. Stewart in their thoughts, and use him as an example of 
kindness and generosity this holiday season.

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