[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 114 (Friday, July 11, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6601-S6602]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                 HONORING ST. STEPHEN'S COMMUNITY HOUSE

 Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, today I honor the efforts of St. 
Stephen's Community House to designate July 10, 2008, Summer Learning 
Day.

[[Page S6602]]

  Located in Columbus, OH, St. Stephen's Community House has worked 
tirelessly to increase awareness of the importance of summer learning 
programs. Summer breaks in schooling can lead to significant academic 
loss, particularly among students in low-income areas. The efforts of 
St. Stephen's Community House to partner with the Ohio Department of 
Education and other community organizations help ensure that children 
all across Ohio have access to high quality summer enrichment programs. 
Its work provides students with meaningful summer activity and helps 
reduce the growing achievement gap in education.
  In addition, St. Stephen's Community House has demonstrated its 
commitment to the community through its work with the Children's Hunger 
Alliance and Major League Soccer. Almost half of Ohioans living in 
poverty are under 24 years old, yet only 57,000 out of 500,000 eligible 
children participate in Ohio's Summer Food Service program. Working 
together, these organizations are expanding summer feeding programs and 
ensuring that all Ohio children have access to nutrition throughout the 
summer months.
  The dedication of the staff and volunteers of St. Stephen's Community 
House to the needs of some of the most vulnerable members of our 
communities serves as an inspiration to us all. I hope my colleagues 
will join me in wishing them the best of luck in their future 
endeavors.

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