[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 148 (Wednesday, September 13, 2017)]
[House]
[Page H7320]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
OUTSTANDING ORGANIZATIONS IN BUCKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Fitzpatrick) for 5 minutes.
Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize two outstanding
organizations in my district that were recently honored by the
Commonwealth Prevention Alliance for their dedication and leadership to
prevent and eliminate substance abuse in Bucks County.
The Council Rock Coalition for Healthy Youth, represented by Director
Debbie Moskovitz, received the Commonwealth's Coalition of the Year
Award; and Melanie Swanson, a prevention specialist representing the
Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, received the Maggie Marcopul Award,
given in honor of Maggie Marcopul, a prevention professional who served
Bucks County, and Pennsylvania on the whole, for more than three
decades.
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Council Rock Coalition for Healthy Youth and the Council of Southeast
Pennsylvania demonstrate every day that the targeted efforts of
substance abuse prevention are effective. According to the Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, every dollar spent on
effective school-based prevention programs saves approximately $18 in
healthcare and judicial costs resulting from substance abuse.
Fighting back against the opioid addiction crisis requires a
multifaceted approach led by lawmakers, community leaders, healthcare
professionals, and law enforcement. I am thankful that Bucks County has
organizations like these that effectively prevent local substance
abuse.
Commending Work Done at Aark Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education
Center
Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the work done
by Aark Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center in Chalfont, Bucks
County, Pennsylvania.
Founded by Mary Jane Stretch, the Aark focuses on rehabilitation,
education, and training to help take care of orphaned and injured birds
and mammals. Their goal is to rehabilitate these animals until they can
be set free, take care of themselves, and learn the tools of survival.
The Aark is the biggest wildlife center of Pennsylvania, serving over
5,000 animals.
In addition to rehabilitation, the Aark provides education programs
for students to give them an appreciation for wildlife and the need to
keep animals in their natural habitat.
I am pleased to stand by my constituents Mary Jane Stretch and her
daughter, Leah Stallings, at the Aark as they strive to rehabilitate
animals and educate students and the public about how to care for
wounded animals.
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