[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 56 (Wednesday, April 9, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E556]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE EFFORTS AND INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP OF 16-YEAR-OLD 
 ALEXIS MONROE IN RAISING FUNDS FOR THE PURCHASE OF AMBULANCES FOR THE 
                           LEBANESE RED CROSS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DARRELL E. ISSA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 9, 2008

  Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, Alexis Monroe, a 16-year-old, student at 
Glenelg Country School in Ellicott City, MD, raised over $5,300 to go 
toward ambulance purchases for the Lebanese Red Cross at her school's 
annual International Dinner and Fashion Show Fundraiser in 2007 and 
2008. I would like to commend Alexis for her efforts as a young leader 
assisting a humanitarian cause that is supported by the American Red 
Cross. I would like to thank Alexis for her efforts, and I am 
submitting Alexis' speeches from 2007 and 2008 for the Congressional 
Record so that her work can receive recognition as example of U.S. 
philanthropy to aid those in a far away land who need assistance.

                    Lebanese Red Cross Presentation

                       (By Alexis Claire Monroe)

       One of the great things about Glenelg is the sense of 
     community one feels. When crises occur outside our own 
     community, it's important to help and support the family and 
     friends across the seas--as they are really just an extension 
     of our own community. In planning this event, we learned that 
     there are no less than 8 families of Lebanese descent here at 
     tiny GCS--including 2 faculty--many of whom still have family 
     and friends in Lebanon. We had four generations in our family 
     touched by this crisis.
       On July 1, 2006, my great-aunt and uncle visited our family 
     in Lebanon. Great-grandmother Fawaz had turned 97. They were 
     so happy to see how Lebanon had recovered from the civil war 
     and 28 years of occupation. The streets were safe, downtown 
     Beirut had been reconstructed, the hotels and restaurants 
     were filled with tourists.
       On July 10th, they left for a short visit to Petra, Jordan 
     to see a 2000 year old temple that is still being excavated 
     by their friends from Brown University. They planned to 
     return to Lebanon on July 14th in time for my great-uncle's 
     birthday celebration which was to be at an elegant restaurant 
     on the harbor near Byblos.
       Early July 13th, the Israelis bombed the newly finished 
     Beirut Airport along with more than 60 bridges, all 
     superhighways, and all ports. The combined naval, land and 
     air blockade made travel impossible.
       My great-aunt and uncle were stuck in Jordan for 10 days 
     before they could get a flight out leaving most of their 
     belongings behind in Lebanon. During that time, they watched, 
     in horror, the TV broadcast of the destruction of Lebanon's 
     infrastructure and the displacement of 800,000 Lebanese 
     (almost 25% of the population) from their homes, half of 
     those being children; 1,300 Lebanese were killed and 3,200 
     injured.
       The use of force against innocent Lebanese was excessive 
     and prolonged and destroyed over 10 years of reconstruction 
     and re-investment efforts. Many people are still homeless and 
     hungry and need assistance.
       One of the primary sources of aid is the Lebanese Red Cross 
     which is a non-partisan humanitarian organization whose 
     volunteers provide medical treatment and relief services. The 
     American Task Force on Lebanon has a commitment from a 
     private foundation to match contributions dollar for dollar--
     so GCS' gift will go twice as far.
       On July 22, 2006, my great-grandmother died. My family was 
     unable to bury her in our ancestral home in Joun because the 
     roads and bridges had been destroyed. We hope that some day, 
     she will be able to rest there in peace.
                                  ____


                  2008 Lebanese Red Cross Presentation

                       (By Alexis Clarie Monroe)

       The Lebanese Red Cross is a member of the International Red 
     Cross. It provides the most comprehensive ambulance services 
     in the country--often under very difficult circumstances. 
     Wherever there is a need, the Lebanese Red Cross is visible, 
     transporting victims to hospitals and often treating the 
     wounded on the spot.
       The Lebanese Red Cross has 6,000 volunteers and 43 Centers 
     where it administers on-site first aid, provides transport, 
     and training. In 2005 and 2006, the Lebanese Red Cross 
     responded to over 166,000 emergency calls--sometimes even 
     losing some of their own in the process. Unfortunately, 
     crises continue to plague Lebanon.
       The Lebanese Red Cross needs to replace old and damaged 
     ambulances in order to be able to respond effectively. Last 
     year, Glenelg Country School raised over $2,300 which was 
     contributed to the national campaign. The funds were matched 
     by a private foundation so our contribution doubled to 
     $4,600.
       This year, in addition to the foundation match, the 
     American Red Cross has agreed to match donations, so the 
     effect of our charity will be quadrupled: every $10 becomes 
     $40; every $25 becomes $100; every $50 becomes $200.
       Although we may have different talents and different 
     abilities and different cultures, in the most basic sense, as 
     humans, we are all equal in our humanity. We are born without 
     knowledge of our faculties, and in this state we are all 
     equal. And this inherent equality never leaves us--we cannot 
     rid ourselves of that intrinsic humanity. Tonight is a time 
     to recognize that equality, to give to others in need 
     regardless of their race or religion, to be not only 
     tolerant, but understanding. Tonight is a time to hope that 
     the warfare, the bloodshed, the violence, in the Middle East 
     will come to an end--tonight is a time to do whatever we can 
     to aid the cause of peace.

                          ____________________