[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 144 (Monday, December 1, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1678]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING GARY AND JEAN ALLEN ALES AND THE SAINT PAUL FRIENDSHIP CLUB

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                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 1, 2014

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Gary Ales, Jean 
Allen Ales, and the Saint Paul Friendship Club, an organization Mr. 
Ales founded 50 years ago.
  In 1964, Gary Ales who was then a Saint Paul Public Schools teacher, 
organized a community service organization called the Friendship Club 
that set out to improve the community without seeking any educational 
or financial reward. The group would go wherever they were most needed 
and include any and all helpers regardless of age, gender, race or 
faith. They volunteered at senior living facilities, on environmental 
projects and at the YMCA, while also teaming up with local businesses 
to provide low income families with holiday parties and gifts. With the 
simple goals of inclusion and altruism, the Saint Paul Friendship Club 
has touched an astounding number of lives. Even after his retirement in 
2001, Mr. Ales continued his work with the club along with his wife, 
Jean.
  Now in its 50th year, the Friendship Club has reached truly 
remarkable heights under the guidance of Mr. and Mrs. Ales. All told, 
more than 15,000 members of the club have served over 320,000 members 
of the community. They have completed over 750 trips to visit with 
underprivileged and sick seniors, clean up schools and parks, plant 
over 500 trees, and give Christmas gifts to over 1,000 students. All of 
these projects were completed on volunteers' own time, without missing 
any days of school.
  While it is nearly impossible to list all the contributions of the 
Saint Paul Friendship Club during the past 50 years, perhaps the 
organization's greatest achievement was put into words by a former 
member of the club in a letter he wrote to Mr. Ales. In his note, the 
student wrote, ``Thank you for showing me a new way to think and see, 
for opening new doors and paths for me to explore. What you have done 
for me I will never forget. What you have taught me, I will carry it on 
and teach it to others.''
  Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to rise and pay tribute to the Saint Paul 
Friendship Club and its founders, Gary and Jean Ales. I hope everyone 
can look towards these remarkable people, and the organization they 
have created, for inspiration as they continue to pursue their motto of 
``We Share, We Care.'' Please join me in rising to honor the 50th 
anniversary of the Saint Paul Friendship Club.

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