[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 50 (Tuesday, March 27, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E450]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING COMMUNITY POWERED REVITALIZATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KENNY MARCHANT

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 27, 2012

  Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I recognize 6 
Stones Mission Network and the cities of Hurst, Euless and Bedford for 
their philanthropic project, Community Powered Revitalization (CPR).
  In the midst of celebrating its 100th anniversary, First Baptist 
Church of Euless found itself on the brink of insolvency and without a 
leader. The massive debt and red ink on day-to-day expenses left little 
hope for repayment. Instead of closing its doors, the church began 
reverently praying for a miracle.
  Within 27 months, six million dollars of debt was paid off and all 
other IOUs fulfilled--a miracle indeed. Overcoming this significant 
internal trial shifted the church's financial perspective towards 
helping others. Their new-found surplus of resources allowed the church 
to readily respond when the City of Euless needed assistance with a 
home revitalization project in 2008. After finishing their first home 
renovation, the church gained vision for a new non-profit, 6 Stones 
Mission Network. Launched in January 2009, 6 Stones is a coalition of 
cities, local churches and businesses collaborating to meet the needs 
of those throughout Tarrant County.
  CPR actually began in 2008 when Gary McKamie, City Manager of Euless, 
presented two churches the opportunity to help two families that 
required substantial assistance in maintaining their homes. They both 
were in great need, but just did not have the resources, expertise or 
wherewithal to keep the homes up to code. The City of Euless had 
established a Leadership Team of employees representing every 
department of the city to not just lead, but to create and develop the 
program. This was done in partnership with area churches, businesses 
and other organizations that wanted to impact the community. That 
program was called Euless Revitalization. The First Baptist Church of 
Euless, realizing the many other growing needs in the community, 
launched a non-profit called 6 Stones Mission Network. Its purpose was 
to renovate homes, as well as try to help meet needs throughout Hurst, 
Euless and Bedford.
  Then in the summer of 2010, the invitation was extended to Bedford 
and Hurst to partner with 6 Stones and the City of Euless, to help 
homeowners in their cities as well. That was the birth of CPR.
  The CPR project uses effective partnerships with the cities of 
Euless, Bedford and Hurst to help struggling homeowners with costly, 
necessary improvements. In the spring of 2011, the project surpassed 
the benchmark of assisting 100 homeowners in despair. While their 
services are offered year-round, two CPR ``Blitz'' events take place 
annually, which involve a large volunteer base working together to 
impact several homes within two days. The product of one community's 
victory over financial woes is now breathing life into struggling 
communities across the 24th Congressional District of Texas.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 24th Congressional District of Texas, I 
ask all my distinguished colleagues to join me in thanking 6 Stones 
Mission Network and the cities of Hurst, Euless, and Bedford for their 
selfless service to our communities. I am honored to represent these 
great cities and to share their story with my colleagues in Congress.

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