[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 29 (Thursday, February 12, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E257-E258]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO MR. RICHARD SHAVER AND THE VOLUNTEERS OF THE HUNGER GARDEN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN P. MURTHA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 12, 2009

  Mr. MURTHA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
individual who has generously donated his land, his money, and his time 
to feeding thousands of needy individuals and families in Westmoreland 
County, Pennsylvania.
  For nearly fifteen years, Mr. Richard Shaver, of Madison, 
Pennsylvania, has operated the ``Hunger Garden.'' The garden is 100 
percent volunteer driven, planting and harvesting thousands of pounds 
of vegetables for the Westmoreland County Food Bank every year. 
Hundreds of volunteers work evenings and weekends producing sweet corn, 
tomatoes, cabbage, cucumbers, peppers, and zucchini for

[[Page E258]]

the food bank and its Operation Fresh Express program, which provides 
fresh fruits and vegetables to low-income families.
  Mr. Shaver served his country in the U.S. Army, built a successful 
career, and at a time when he could sit back and enjoy the fruits of 
his labor, he set out to help those in need.
  Mr. Shaver says he began growing vegetables for the food bank 
because, ``Business was good. I went to country clubs, I was even 
flying my own airplane, but I just didn't feel right. My daughter 
suggested that maybe I ought to try to help somebody.'' His 
determination to ``help somebody'' has resulted in the donation of over 
145,000 pounds of fresh vegetables over the years, greatly assisting 
Westmoreland County Food Bank and its service to 6,000 local families.
  Madam Speaker, in a struggling economy where millions of Americans 
have lost their jobs and are struggling to make ends meet, it gives me 
great pleasure to honor people like Mr. Shaver and the volunteers of 
the ``Hunger Garden.'' Their extraordinary work and generosity has a 
tremendous impact on the lives of many, and are an inspiration to us 
all.

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