[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 7 (Wednesday, January 19, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E76]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FIRST FRIDAY GROUP

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 19, 2011

  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, on January 7, 2011 the First Friday Group 
(FFG) of Matagorda County celebrated its 20th anniversary. I am pleased 
to extend my congratulations to the organizers of the FFG for 20 years 
of service to the people of Matagorda County.
  FFG provides a monthly forum for the citizens of Matagorda County to 
discuss their activities and issues affecting their community. As the 
name suggests, FFG's meetings take place on the first Friday of the 
month at 6:30 a.m. The meetings are currently held at the Thyme & Again 
restaurant in Bay City, Texas. The meetings are open to the public, and 
anyone is free to participate. Attendance typically runs from 25 to 40 
people.
  FFG is in many ways a modern town hall meeting. Attendees typically 
include national, state and local elected officials, representatives 
from the Matagorda County Chamber of Commerce, local business owners, 
developers, industrial plant managers, agriculture and agri-businesses, 
educators, religious leaders and state agencies.
  The FFG meetings have two unique features that ensure everyone with 
something of interest to the community has a chance to participate. 
First, there is never a ``program'' or a set list of speakers chosen by 
the FFG. Instead, each meeting is conducted in a ``Round the Room 
Format,'' that gives each attendee a chance to talk about their 
activities. Secondly, speakers are asked to limit their remarks to two 
or three minutes in order to make sure that everyone who wants to speak 
has the chance. While the time limits may appear to make it difficult 
to convey all relevant information about an activity, regular attendees 
say that most speakers can convey a remarkable amount of information in 
a very short period of time.
  In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I once again extend congratulations to 
the founders and organizers of the First Friday Group for providing a 
forum for the citizens of Matagorda County to exchange information 
about their various projects which are aimed at improving life in 
Matagorda County.

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