[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 200 (Wednesday, December 19, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H10274]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             END HUNGER NOW

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, as I have reminded my colleagues many 
times, there is not a congressional district in America that is hunger 
free. Hunger in America defies stereotypes. Many families that grapple 
with food insecurity are working but still don't make enough money to 
buy sufficient food after all the bills are paid.
  That is why, on the Monday and Tuesday before Thanksgiving, I 
participated in the ninth annual Monte's March, a 43-mile walk to raise 
awareness about hunger in our community and to raise money for the Food 
Bank of Western Massachusetts.
  The leader was Monte Belmonte, a well-known radio personality and a 
committed activist on behalf of those who are vulnerable. I was so 
proud to join him again this year to walk the 43 miles. I am even more 
proud that he raised nearly $300,000. This translates into nearly 3 
million meals for people struggling with food insecurity.
  Mr. Speaker, I was so impressed by the incredible generosity of our 
community. It was inspiring.
  While food banks, food pantries, and charitable organizations are 
vital in our efforts to combat hunger, they cannot do it alone. We need 
a strong commitment by our government to do its part.
  Indeed, I would argue that we have fallen short of doing what is 
needed. Those who I had the pleasure of marching alongside during 
Monte's March understand that, and they understand what it means to be 
part of a community. Today, I would like to thank them for their work.
  First and foremost, to Monte Belmonte and all the people at WRSI, The 
River--Mark Lattanzi, Joan Holliday, Kaliis Smith, Kelly Sykes, Betsy 
Cortis, Matt Peterson, and Steve Trumpy--thank you so very much. You 
are all wonderful.
  I would like to thank Andrew Morehouse, the executive director of the 
Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, and everyone at the food bank for 
all the incredible work that they do.
  I would like to thank Sean Barry from Four Seasons Liquor in Hadley, 
who was Monte's right-hand man for 2 days.
  I would like to thank all the elected officials who joined part of 
the march, including Congressman Joe Kennedy; State Representative 
Aaron Vega; State Senator-elect Jo Comerford; and State 
Representatives-elect Natalie Blais, Mindy Domb, Dan Carey, and Lindsay 
Sabadosa. And, of course, I would like to thank Northwestern District 
Attorney David Sullivan.
  I would like to thank Easthampton Mayor Nicole LaChapelle, 
Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz, and Chicopee Mayor Richard Kos, who 
have always been key partners in the fight to end hunger.
  I want to thank Tim Garvin of the United Way of Central 
Massachusetts; Ronn Johnson, CEO of the Martin Luther King Jr. Family 
Services in Springfield; Ruben Reyes, operations manager at Lorraine's 
Soup Kitchen in Chicopee; and Jasmin Colon, Kate's Kitchen in Holyoke. 
Each of them has done so much to help those who are struggling with 
hunger.
  A special thank you to the sheriff's departments in Hampden, 
Hampshire, and Franklin Counties, as well as the Deerfield Police, who 
provided escorts for us during all 43 miles. We are so grateful for all 
they do to keep us safe every day.
  Thank you to the Expandable Brass Band, the drum corps from Franklin 
County Technical School, and performers from Double Edge Theatre in 
Ashfield for keeping us jazzed up during the entire march.

  I want to thank everyone who gave us space to rest and good food 
along the way: The Bistro at Gateway City Arts in Holyoke, Sierra 
Grille, BridgeSide Grille, Berkshire Brewing Company, Ben Clark of 
Clarkdale Fruit Farms, Tea Guys, Stone Soup Cafe, and the Hope & Olive 
and Magpie in Greenfield.
  Thank you to the schoolchildren who greeted us and raised funds to 
support our cause, including Nurse Meg and her team of marchers from 
Conway Grammar School, Steph Barry and Erving Elementary, and Mr. 
Brooks and Smith Voc-Tech for their help with the carts we used to 
march.
  I want to, of course, thank my son, Patrick, who marched with me the 
entire second day.
  Finally, to our VIP marchers--Chia Collins; Steve the Hippie; Rick 
and Georgiann Kristek; Andrea Ayvazian; Marina Goldman; Leigh Rae; 
Kristen Elechko and her baby, Elizabeth Dunaway; Marianne Mahoney; 
Michelle Spaziani; Amy Proietti; Neftali Duran; Margot Wise; and Terry 
Wise--we simply could not have done this without you. Thank you, thank 
you, thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
  Mr. Speaker, I was glad to be part of this, but I close by expressing 
my deep concern about the future. With so many people in need of 
assistance, any cuts to SNAP would be devastating for families across 
this country.
  This next Congress needs to stand firm against any more cuts to SNAP. 
We ought to stand firm against any structural changes to the program 
and any more burdensome requirements. We must protect this program and 
other programs that provide people nutrition.
  Food ought to be a fundamental right for everybody in this country. 
We live in the richest country in the history of the world. Nobody 
should be hungry.
  In the spirit of all those who took part in Monte's March, we in this 
Congress can and will do better. We must end hunger now.

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