[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 89 (Tuesday, June 5, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1196]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN RECOGNITION OF DR. WESS STAFFORD'S 30 YEAR ANNIVERSARY AT COMPASSION 
                             INTERNATIONAL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DOUG LAMBORN

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 5, 2007

  Mr. LAMBORN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Dr. Wess 
Stafford's 30th anniversary with Compassion International. A widely 
respected child advocacy organization, Compassion International has 
helped over one and a half million children since its inception in 1952 
and currently operates in 24 developing countries worldwide.
  Dr. Stafford began his work with this worthy group on May 1, 1977 and 
was elected its president in 1993. Raised by missionary parents in a 
poverty-stricken town in the Ivory Coast, Dr. Stafford witnessed first 
hand, immense suffering and tragedy. This experience led him to become 
a passionate advocate for children all over the world. An admirable 
Christian, Dr. Stafford believes that all human life is precious and 
deserves to be protected and cherished; a value he extols in his book 
Too Small to Ignore.
  The mission of Compassion is to ``release children from poverty in 
Jesus' name,'' and Dr. Stafford has tried to do just that. Today, the 
organization not only provides a child sponsorship program, it has also 
put into action an AIDS Initiative, Child Survival Program, and 
Leadership Development Program. Since becoming its leader, Dr. Stafford 
has increased the number of children served by Compassion from 180,000 
to over 800,000.
  Dr. Stafford's evident enthusiasm for his work and selfless 
dedication to the service of others are a true inspiration. He and 
those with whom he works are undeterred by the enormity of the problems 
they seek to solve. Rather than feeling that the mission is an 
insurmountable challenge, they understand that victory is achieved when 
one life is saved. Today I offer Dr. Stafford my congratulations on 
this milestone and appreciation for his work. I am proud and humbled by 
the privilege of representing him, and all of those who are a part of 
Compassion International.

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