[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 148 (Wednesday, October 14, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2522]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    COMMEMORATING THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. SHELLEY BERKLEY

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 13, 2009

  Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a proud daughter of Greece, 
and as a cosponsor of this resolution, to join my colleagues in 
honoring the Daughters of Penelope, an organization of women who 
exemplify Hellenic values and ideals, both within the United States and 
across the globe. Over the past 80 years, the efforts of the Daughters 
of Penelope have had a significant impact on the welfare of those in 
need. From assistance to battered women and children, to support for 
cancer research and funding for schools, the work of these women is 
deserving of our wholehearted recognition and praise.
  I want to draw special attention to the contributions that the 
Daughters of Penelope have made in the fight against breast cancer. Not 
only has the organization participated in a variety of fundraisers for 
breast cancer research, the Daughters of Penelope have engaged members 
of different ethnic communities in countries across the world by 
preparing and distributing awareness pamphlets that they translated 
into several languages. Raising awareness is a vital method of fighting 
breast cancer and I commend the efforts of these women in educating 
underserved communities about this disease.
  Another notable accomplishment of the Daughters of Penelope is the 
Greek Immigrant Oral History Study, recordings that document the 
history of Greek women, like my grandmother and great-grandmother, who 
immigrated to the United States. This project marked the first time 
that an ethnic organization had submitted its oral history to the 
Library of Congress, paving the way for other ethnic communities to 
share their own stories as well.
  With great appreciation and admiration, I recognize the invaluable 
contributions the Daughters of Penelope have made in the spirit of 
Hellenism. I join in supporting this resolution and urge my colleagues 
to support it as well.

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