[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 81 (Thursday, May 17, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H4145-H4146]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      NATIONAL SALVATION ARMY WEEK

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. DesJarlais). The Chair recognizes the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, this week is National 
Salvation Army Week, and it is a time to recognize the good that this 
organization does, but also a time to raise awareness about the 
challenges faced by more than 40 million Americans who are living in 
poverty, many who are stuck in poverty, quite frankly, because of 
programs and regulations put forth by Washington, D.C., for decades 
that serve as a spiderweb and makes people feel more comfortable living 
in poverty, which is nothing we should ever do.
  We should always be working to provide our friends, our neighbors, 
our neighbors in need with a pathway to opportunity. The Salvation Army 
is a great organization, actually, that accomplishes that.
  With the help of 3.2 million volunteers, the Salvation Army serves 
nearly 25 million Americans through a range of social services, 
including food for the hungry, relief for disaster survivors, clothing 
and shelter for the homeless, and opportunities for underprivileged 
children.
  National Salvation Army Week began in 1954 when Congress approved the 
joint resolution for President Dwight D. Eisenhower to proclaim a week 
to recognize the humanitarian efforts of the Salvation Army.
  The Salvation Army is one of the Nation's largest and oldest faith-
based health and human services providers.
  With a presence in every ZIP Code across the country, the Salvation 
Army uniquely understands the demands facing Americans in need.
  Last year, the Salvation Army served more than 56 million meals and 
provided more than 10 million nights of shelter.
  The Salvation Army is on the front lines of the opioid crisis, 
serving more than 173,000 Americans in 139 rehab centers across the 
United States.
  Since the 1900 Galveston hurricane, the Salvation Army has served 
survivors and first responders of every major natural disaster and 
numerous man-made disasters. In any given year, it helps more than 
275,000 survivors receive hope, healing, and comfort.
  Through a wide variety of job training programs, including culinary, 
hospitality, and landscaping training, the

[[Page H4146]]

Salvation Army helps Americans build the skills they need to acquire 
gainful employment and lift themselves out of poverty, help them 
achieve food security.
  The Salvation Army takes a holistic approach in addressing people's 
needs. It supports the physical, emotional, and spiritual development 
of those that they serve. Data shows that those who utilize the 
Salvation Army's spiritual and emotional care programs are more likely 
to reclaim their lives and get back on their feet.
  Mr. Speaker, the Salvation Army was established in London in 1865, 
and for more than 135 years, it has been supporting those in need 
without discrimination.
  Together, we can all join the fight for good. I am proud to honor 
this outstanding organization that for more than a century has given 
scores of Americans the help they need during trying times.

                          ____________________