[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 48 (Thursday, March 25, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E488]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  24TH ANNIVERSARY OF BROTHERS' KEEPER

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                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 25, 2010

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I stand 
before you to recognize one of Northwest Indiana's most generous and 
valued organizations, Brothers' Keeper, Incorporated. Brothers' Keeper, 
a non-profit organization located in Gary, Indiana, celebrates its 
twenty-fourth anniversary this month. In honor of its anniversary, a 
celebratory banquet, which will also help raise funds for the continued 
operation of Brothers' Keeper, will take place on Thursday, March 25, 
2010, at the Genesis Convention Center in Gary, Indiana.
  The anniversary banquet will feature a keynote speech by Harry 
Porterfield, who is well known in Chicago media and is the creator and 
host of ``People You Should Know.'' The banquet will also feature the 
inspirational music of The Winslett Family Singers.
  Founded by the late Reverend James Anderson of Washington Street 
Church of God on March 16, 1986, Brothers' Keeper is the oldest and 
only full service men's homeless shelter in Northwest Indiana. 
Throughout the years, thousands of lives have been improved through the 
many services and programs offered by Brothers' Keeper. Brothers' 
Keeper offers not only food, clothing, and shelter to the men it 
serves, but also counseling services, information and referral 
services, job placement assistance, and weekly motivational sessions, 
as well as a new computer room for members of the community to utilize.
  While many people have benefited from these services and from the 
generosity of the Brothers' Keeper staff, the organization has also 
made extraordinary efforts to reach out to the surrounding community. 
In addition to the services offered at the shelter, Brothers' Keeper 
also operates a soup kitchen, food pantry, clothing bank, recycling 
program, community service work site, and a senior aid work site.
  Madam Speaker, at this time, I ask that you and my other 
distinguished colleagues join me in recognizing the tireless efforts of 
Brothers' Keeper's Executive Director, Mary Edwards, and the many staff 
members and volunteers whose generosity and selflessness have touched 
thousands of lives throughout the last twenty-four years. Their efforts 
are to be commended, and they are to be honored for their unwavering 
commitment to their community.

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