[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 111 (Thursday, July 12, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1494]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING AMERICA'S SECOND HARVEST

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                             HON. RON LEWIS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 11, 2007

  Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate 
America's Second Harvest of Kentucky's Heartland Food Bank, located in 
Elizabethtown, Kentucky, for recently celebrating 25 years of 
charitable service to central and southern central Kentucky.
  America's Second Harvest began as a small operation in the basement 
of Elizabethtown's Christ Episcopal Church in 1982. Founding members 
struggled at first to raise enough money just to reserve a post office 
box. Support quickly grew as the community began to understand the 
mission of the organization.
  Over the last 25 years, America's Second Harvest has received and 
distributed approximately 100 million pounds of donated food and 
groceries to 170 charity organizations in 35 Kentucky counties.
  The food bank now occupies a large warehouse in Elizabethtown, with 
plans under consideration to extend the facility by another 10,000 
square feet. America's Second Harvest representatives are also working 
to expand the BackPack program, an initiative that offers bags of food 
to schoolchildren who are likely to go hungry on weekends.
  I applaud America's Second Harvest, particularly founders Dot Hansen 
and Rita Jenkins, for their vision, determination, and continued 
cooperative efforts to assist those in need.
  It is my great privilege to recognize America's Second Harvest today, 
before the entire U.S. House of Representatives, on the occasion of 
their 25th anniversary. Their unique dedication to combat hunger in 
Kentucky communities makes them an outstanding organization worthy of 
our collective appreciation and respect.

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