[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 137 (Wednesday, November 12, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1515]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    RECOGNIZING MS. CLARA I. SISSEL

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                        HON. K. MICHAEL CONAWAY

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 12, 2014

  Mr. CONAWAY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Clara I. 
Sissel of Odessa, Texas. Since 2002, Ms. Sissel has sent more than 
1,200 care packages to our armed services members stationed overseas. 
For her efforts, she is being honored by her family, friends, and the 
members of the Omni Club for her tireless and selfless service to our 
armed forces.
   Ms. Sissel has made her care packages, or love boxes as she prefers 
to call them, a personal mission to show each service member that 
someone back home is thinking of them and cares about their well being. 
Although fourteen years is a long time, her service did not start in 
2002. Ms. Sissel started her mission during the Vietnam War. Through 
the years, she has sent at least one package per week at her own 
expense. As a token of remembrance, Ms. Sissel has created scrap books 
containing every letter that she has received from recipients of her 
care packages.
   However, her efforts did not stop at her front door. Ms. Sissel has 
also led many Odessa organizations to join her mission in showing our 
armed service members that they are in our thoughts and prayers back 
home. She has brought together the VFW and local churches to help in 
running community care package drives. These care package drives allow 
people to donate goods or their time to help fill care packages for our 
veterans.
   Clara Sissel's selflessness and determined dedication embody the 
American spirit and has lifted the hearts of thousands of service 
members worldwide. Her weekly token of appreciation reminds our service 
members that their daily sacrifices are not taken for granted, and I am 
sure they are thankful for Ms. Sissel's support. I am honored to 
recognize her as a true patriot in our community and to share her story 
with you all today.

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