[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 153 (Thursday, September 13, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H8175]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING ABE AND TRISH HARPSTER AS 2018 ANGELS IN ADOPTION HONOREES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
recognize Abe and Trish Harpster of Spruce Creek, Pennsylvania.
  Abe and Trish were recently chosen as the Congressional Coalition on 
Adoption's 2018 Angels in Adoption Honorees for their extraordinary 
contributions to adoption.
  I proudly nominated the Harpsters for this honor because they truly 
are generous and selfless individuals.
  The Harpsters have successfully adopted three of their children: 
Logan, Riley, and Teagan. Trish works in sales and Abe runs his 
family's dairy farm in Huntingdon County. Both feel extraordinarily 
blessed and lucky to be parents of these three great kids.
  Having attempted several adoptions, Abe and Trish like to share their 
adoption stories and act as a resource for parents beginning the 
process. They are passionate about improving Federal laws and 
regulations to ensure more children are connected with a permanent, 
loving family.
  Every year the Harpsters host a fly-fishing tournament on their 
family farm. The money raised from this event goes directly to the 
Centre County Youth Services Bureau.
  This nonprofit organization has been strengthening children and 
families since 1968. They work to provide every child with the 
opportunity to reach their full potential.
  Last year's fishing event raised more than $60,000 for the Youth 
Services Bureau, and in the coming years, the Harpsters hope to raise 
even more for this great organization.
  Later this month, Angels in Adoption honorees from across the country 
will arrive in Washington, D.C., to be celebrated for their great 
contributions.
  I look forward to meeting Abe and Trish to congratulate them on this 
outstanding honor and discuss child welfare issues as well as their own 
personal experiences with the adoption process.
  For the past 20 years, Angels in Adoption has celebrated individuals, 
couples, and organizations from across the country that have made an 
extraordinary contribution on behalf of children in need: everyday 
heroes, or in this case angels, like the Harpsters, who never seek 
recognition but wholeheartedly deserve it.
  I look forward to congratulating Abe and Trish in person.
  Madam Speaker, I would also like to note that this past Sunday was 
National Grandparents Day. In honor of this special day, we must not 
forget the outstanding work being done by the foster grandparents 
across the country.
  The Foster Grandparent Program is a part of the Senior Corps of the 
Cooperation for National and Community Service.
  This program provides a way for volunteers age 55 and over to serve 
as role models, mentors, and friends to children with exceptional 
needs.
  In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, there are more than 10,000 
Senior Corps volunteers. These volunteers have touched the lives of so 
many children by tutoring more than 4,000 young people in Pennsylvania 
alone. And, Madam Speaker, these foster grandparents provide the kind 
of guidance and love that set children on the path towards a successful 
future.
  I look forward to celebrating Abe and Trish Harpster, and want to 
recognize all those who play an important role in the lives of young 
people. There is no greater gift to give than time, love, and support 
to a child in need.


         Recognizing Nothing But Nets for Work Against Malaria

  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, recently I met with a 
constituent who works with the grassroots organization Nothing But 
Nets, which raises awareness in the fight against malaria.
  As you may know, malaria is transmitted to people through mosquitoes 
carrying the disease. In 2016, there were 216 million new cases of 
malaria worldwide and 445,000 deaths, 70 percent of which were children 
under five. Malaria takes the life of a child every 2 minutes.
  Most malaria cases and deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa, but 
Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East are also at risk.
  Malaria is a treatable, preventable disease, but half the world's 
population lives in danger of contracting the parasite from a simple 
mosquito bite.
  U.S. leadership is critical to the elimination of malaria around the 
world and we have helped to create and expand lifesaving interventions 
like long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets, indoor residual spray, 
and rapid diagnostic tests.
  Our continued leadership is critical in finally eliminating malaria 
around the world. I look forward to the day when we can eradicate 
malaria once and for all.

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