[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 174 (Friday, October 26, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1468-E1469]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING KATHIE O'CALLAGHAN

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 26, 2018

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, communities draw their strength from 
individuals who are willing

[[Page E1469]]

to work hard for the greater good. The Pelham community which I 
represent has no doubt been strengthened by the work of Kathie 
O'Callaghan, who has done so much not just to help her fellow Pelham 
residents, but also people from all over the world.
  A Pelhamite for over 30 years, Kathie is a visionary who has broken 
conventional barriers and applied her talents to a wide range of 
charitable causes that have truly made a difference. Kathie's most 
recent accomplishment is being the Founder & President of Hearts and 
Homes for Refugees, an innovative grassroots non-profit that supports 
U.S. Department of State designated agencies in welcoming, protecting 
and advocating for refugees resettling in U.S. communities. Inspired by 
the crisis in Syria, Kathie created a group to advocate for 
resettlement in Westchester County. HHR is now comprised of 400 
volunteers that welcomed the first refugee family to Westchester 
County: a Syrian family of six that was resettled in Pelham. In 2018, 
Kathie led HHR in creating the Westchester Refugee Initiative, a 
county-wide coalition to support and grow the network of over 20 
community and interfaith organizations and 1,500 individuals who 
support the welcoming movement in Westchester. Under Kathie's 
leadership, the Westchester Refugee Initiative's volunteers continue to 
welcome and advocate for new refugee arrivals and supports refugees who 
are already in the country and need of help.
  Beyond her incredible work with refugees, Kathie has also been an 
integral part of the formation of the Friends of the Pelham Library; a 
Member of the Rotary Club of the Pelham; an In-Home Hospice Volunteer 
at Jansen Hospice & Palliative Care; a Pelham Manor Volunteer 
Firefighter; a Member of the leadership team of Huguenot Memorial 
Church; a Lector at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church; and was an 
honoree at the 2017 Pelham Woman of Distinction event.
  Kathie has done it all, and the work she has done in Pelham is 
nothing short of inspirational. This year, the Pelham Civics are 
honoring Kathie at their 2018 Dinner. They could not have picked a more 
deserving honoree. Congratulations to Kathie O'Callaghan on this 
tremendous honor.

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