[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 143 (Tuesday, September 25, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1969]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR WOMEN LEGISLATORS AND OFFICE DEPOT

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                          HON. DIANE E. WATSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 25, 2007

  Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate the National 
Foundation for Women Legislators for working to distribute thousands of 
backpacks filled with school supplies in every U.S. State and Puerto 
Rico.
  These backpacks have been donated by Office Depot and are being 
distributed to at-risk and disadvantaged youth. As lawmakers we 
introduce and pass legislation every year that affects our Nation's 
youth. We talk about statistics and reading performance and free lunch 
programs, but we do not talk enough about ensuring that all students 
have the school supplies they need to perform both inside and out of 
the classroom.
  Office Depot's National Backpack Program, now in its seventh year, is 
designed to make a difference in communities across the country and put 
backpacks in the hands of underprivileged and at-risk children so they 
have the tools they need to start the school year. Beginning in 2001 
with 80,000 backpacks donated nationwide, the program has expanded to 
deliver 100,000 backpacks in 2002 and in 2003 and 2004, the program was 
increased to 200,000 backpacks containing school supplies. In 2005, the 
program grew to 300,000 backpacks with school supplies and finally, in 
2006, 300,000 backpacks were again donated by Office Depot across North 
America and in Puerto Rico, totaling more than 1 million backpacks in 
the hands of children since the inception of the program.
  Sadly, there are hundreds of thousands of children who cannot afford 
the basic supplies they need for school. This backpack initiative not 
only alleviates some of the financial burden from the many single-
family households that are stretching their budget and have enough to 
worry about paying for food and bills, but it also allows their 
children to have the pride of being able to start the school year the 
right way.
  I am proud to say that 1,000 backpacks will be delivered to the 
Bradley Elementary School in my home district. I ask all of my 
colleagues in this United States Congress to join me in recognizing the 
National Foundation for Women Legislators and their partnership with 
Office Depot, whose efforts to empower our children and provide them 
the tools they need to be successful in school and in life are to be 
commended.

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