[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 80 (Wednesday, May 16, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E659]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     CONGRATULATING THE NORTH COUNTRY MISSION OF HOPE ON ITS 20TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ELISE M. STEFANIK

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 16, 2018

  Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize the 
North Country Mission of Hope on its 20th anniversary.
  In 1998, Sister Debbie Blow and a team of dedicated students from 
Seton Catholic School started a fundraising project to benefit victims 
of Hurricane Mitch in Nicaragua. What started as a small project grew 
to yearly mission trips to Nicaragua, ultimately becoming the North 
Country Mission of Hope. Since then, the North Country Mission of Hope 
has partnered with countless non-governmental organizations to create a 
network of support all the way from the North Country to Central 
America.
  While originally established to help hurricane victims, the North 
Country Mission of Hope has grown to support sustainable programs in 
education, healthcare, community and ecological development. Its 
service reaches some of the poorest areas of Nicaragua. Currently, the 
North Country Mission of Hope coordinates over 850 education 
sponsorships, nutritional feeding programs at 24 schools, and ships 
needed supplies at least twice a year. Through its tireless commitment 
to serving others, the Mission of Hope continuously achieves its goal 
of fostering hope and empowering relationships with the people of 
Nicaragua.
  On behalf of New York's 21st District, I want to honor the North 
Country Mission of Hope for its 20 years of service and thank its 
members for being exceptional ambassadors of the North Country. I look 
forward to watching the amazing things that the North Country Mission 
of Hope accomplishes for many years to come.

                          ____________________