[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 108 (Friday, July 11, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1147]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


CELEBRATING ST. CHARLES EPISCOPAL CHURCH'S ``MISSION IN THE MOUNTAINS''

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                          HON. PETER J. ROSKAM

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 11, 2014

  Mr. ROSKAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize St. Charles 
Episcopal Church's ``Mission in the Mountains'' and to celebrate the 
service of seven high school participants in this effort. In June, the 
St. Charles Episcopal team traveled to poverty stricken areas of the 
Appalachian Mountains where they invested their time and energy 
rebuilding and repairing homes. This was the 13th year in a row members 
of the St. Charles community participated in a mission trip to 
Kentucky.
  Liz Ryan, director of youth & children's development at the church, 
led the mission trip for the 13th time. She described the mission as 
life changing, saying ``One of the things that we profess to in our 
religion is that we respect the dignity of every human being, when you 
go to someplace where the need is so evident, it changes your 
perspective on the world.'' Ryan believes that no two trips have ever 
been the same and that the students take home a new perspective on how 
to positively impact the world.
  The students, Shannon Foran, Mandalee Manning, Rachel Peyton, Johanna 
Matthiesen, Ian Rhead, Avery Manning, and Grace Ditch, were trained in 
using power tools and equipment and a variety of tasks needed to 
complete the building and repair projects comprising the mission. They 
used these skills to repaint walls, ceilings, homes, and build 
wheelchair ramps and fix leaky roofs.
  Mr. Speaker, these hardworking young people could have been spending 
time at home, with friends, playing video games, or any of the other 
ways so many choose to spend their days. Instead, they showed 
leadership, compassion, and commitment to help build a better world. 
They chose to roll up their sleeves and get to work. They improved the 
lives of those less fortunate, and they set a terrific example for the 
rest of us.
  Mr. Speaker and Distinguished Colleagues, please join me in 
celebrating these ``Mission in the Mountain'' participants and their 
efforts and encouraging them to continue to lead by example.

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