[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 59 (Friday, April 26, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E561]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      CONGRATULATING THOMAS BARNES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BRUCE L. BRALEY

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 26, 2013

  Mr. BRALEY of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Thomas 
Barnes on receiving the Champions of Courage recognition from the White 
House. This program recognizes individuals who do extraordinary things 
to empower and inspire members of their communities. Thomas has 
empowered many of Iowa's needy children through his service.
  Thomas has chaired the Marion-East Cedar Rapids Rotary Club's ``Shoes 
for Kids'' program since 2003. This program started in two local school 
districts, but was quickly expanded as the need grew. Through this 
program, Thomas and his fellow Rotarians have raised over $50,000 to 
provide over 3,500 Iowa children with shoes.
  Thomas has also used this program to support children affected by 
natural disasters. In May 2008, an E-5 tornado devastated the town of 
Parkersburg, Iowa. Weeks later, Cedar Rapids was inundated by 
floodwaters. Thomas made an appeal to Rotarians nationwide to assist 
these children that had lost everything. Recently, Thomas sent eighty 
pairs of shoes with a fellow Rotarian participating in a polio 
immunization campaign in Nigeria to donate to a local orphanage.
  Thomas Barnes has positively impacted the lives of thousands of 
children and I'm honored to represent him in Congress. I congratulate 
him receiving this special acknowledgment from the White House. I wish 
Thomas and the rest of the Rotary Club well in the future of their 
Shoes for Kids program.

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