[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 185 (Wednesday, December 10, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2381]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING ACTS OF COMPASSION AND THE SUPPORT OF A COMMUNITY

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                            HON. JERRY MORAN

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 10, 2008

  Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Madam Speaker, make no mistake about it: what we 
do in this chamber, the decisions we make as Members of Congress, have 
far-reaching implications for the Americans we represent and people 
around the world. I sometimes worry, though, that citizens look first 
to government to solve problems rather than searching within themselves 
for the power to make a difference. I'd like to share with you a story 
about one family that proves the way we change the world happens one 
person at a time.
  Over the last several months, I have had the privilege of assisting a 
professor and his family attempt to make our world a better place. Dr. 
John Simmons, a life sciences instructor at Barton County Community 
College in Great Bend, Kansas, and his wife Lori, along with their four 
biological children, will travel to Ethiopia at the end of this month 
to adopt two orphaned sisters.
  Famine, AIDS, and other diseases have created a sad situation in 
Ethiopia where 25 percent of the children are orphaned by age 12. While 
orphanages do their best to provide for these children and see that 
young girls and boys have a bright future, what these children really 
need is a mom and dad who will care for them as their own. Few acts are 
more generous and loving than welcoming another as part of one's own 
family. I have great respect for the Simmonses and all those who choose 
to adopt.
  While adopting 2 young girls is alone commendable, what sets John and 
Lori apart is their effort to serve other children at the orphanage and 
involve the Great Bend community in that mission.
  This summer, John launched a fundraising effort to feed and clothe 
children at the orphanage, purchase humanitarian supplies and pay for 
their shipping costs. John's goal of raising $10,000 was accomplished 
primarily by selling ``Barton to Africa'' t-shirts for $30 each. The 
shirts were printed with ``Barton'' in Ethiopia's official language on 
the front and a map of the United States on the back with a star in the 
center of the country, marking Barton County, Kansas. John even created 
more excitement for the fundraiser by promising to shave his head if 
the community helped him reach his goal by November 8.
  After nearly 5 months of speaking with civic clubs, church members, 
neighbors, colleagues and students, John exceeded his fundraising goal 
and at halftime of a Barton County Community College basketball game, 
he and Barton County Community College Admissions Representative Louie 
Ochoa had their heads shaved.
  I imagine most people would rest on such an accomplishment. But, John 
dreams of more. It is his hope that the trip to Ethiopia this month 
will be the beginning of a long-lasting relationship between Ethiopians 
and the citizens of Great Bend who joined him in his effort. John 
envisions providing orphans with educational opportunities at Barton 
County Community College. Doing so would not only offer disadvantaged 
children a brighter future but also further facilitate relationships 
between Kansans and Ethiopians.
  John's fundraising effort raised awareness about the needs of others 
in a far corner of the world. It galvanized the community around a 
common goal and showed that when people work together, there is no 
limit on what can be accomplished.
  I rise today to commend and congratulate John and Lori Simmons, their 
family and the citizens of Great Bend. Their compassion and effort will 
help make the lives of orphaned children in Ethiopia better.

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