[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 38 (Tuesday, March 16, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E391-E392]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    AMY SCHULZ CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 16, 2010

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to mark the 20th anniversary 
of the Amy Schulz Child Advocacy Center in Mount Vernon, Illinois.
  The center was born from tragedy when, in 1987, 10-year-old Amy 
Schulz of Kell, Illinois,

[[Page E392]]

was murdered. Her father, Dennis Schulz, was determined to do all he 
could to see that no other families had to face the kind of devastating 
tragedy like that which afflicted his family. Mr. Schulz lobbied 
legislators for greater protection of children from violent criminals 
and started the Amy Center to keep the advocacy work going.
  Starting with just a one-room office twenty years ago, the Amy Center 
has expanded and helped more than 100,000 children in several counties 
in south-central Illinois. Its advocacy efforts and education programs 
have had a lasting, positive impact.
  I stand before this House to thank Dennis and Esther Schulz for their 
determination to protect children from violence. I also commend 
Executive Director LaDonna Richards and the staff of the Amy Center, 
past and present, who have done so much good work for the children of 
south-central Illinois. Their positive efforts and big hearts have done 
much to make our community a better, safer place to live. I extend my 
appreciation on their 20 years of service.

                          ____________________