[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 62 (Monday, April 27, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E986-E987]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             CONGRATULATIONS: KIWANIS CLUB OF GORHAM, MAINE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. CHELLIE PINGREE

                                of maine

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 27, 2009

  Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Madam Speaker, I would like to take this 
opportunity to congratulate the Kiwanis Club of Gorham, Maine for 
acknowledging the courage and sacrifices of the children of Maine's 
military families through their program entitled ``Operation Tribute''.
  Kiwanis is an organization dedicated to service to children and youth 
through initiatives intended to improve the quality of life of children 
in communities around the world. Currently, Kiwanis has over 500,000 
members internationally, representing 96 countries with 34 clubs in 
Maine.
  On July 17, 2007, the Kiwanis Club of Gorham, later joined by the 
Kiwanis Clubs of Maine, launched Operation Holiday Cheer, a program to 
provide a holiday gift to each participating child of Maine's military 
families, including, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, 
Reserves and National Guard. Over 9,000 children in Maine have a parent 
serving in the military.
  In 2007, the Kiwanis acquired, wrapped, and distributed over 8,000 
gifts to children in 140 cities and towns throughout the state of 
Maine. Included with each gift was a hand-written note thanking the 
child and his or her family which read, ``On behalf of the Kiwanis 
Clubs of Maine and the people of the State of Maine, we would like to 
offer you this token of our appreciation for your sacrifice. You are 
the child of a Maine military family and the bravery that you show 
every day by sharing your parent to help protect our country is being 
recognized and honored. You should be extremely proud of your service 
to our country and you should know that we, the Kiwanis and the people 
of Maine, stand proudly and beside you. We wish you and your family a 
Happy Holiday Season.''
  In 2008, the Kiwanis built on the incredible success of Operation 
Holiday Cheer and expanded the program throughout New England and New 
York. Their efforts--and once again their success--were astounding. 
Operation Holiday Cheer raised over $650,000 and distributed over 
23,000 holiday gifts to children of military families.
  In January 2009, Operation Holiday Cheer renamed itself ``Operation 
Tribute'' to better reflect its mission of providing tribute to the 
children of military families.
  I extend my deepest appreciation to the Kiwanis Clubs of Maine for 
their thoughtfulness in paying tribute--and bringing cheer--to the 
lives of thousands of children in Maine, New York and all of New 
England.

[[Page E987]]



                          ____________________