[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 58 (Wednesday, April 3, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E396-E397]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    BE THE LIGHT FOOD PANTRY FOR U.S. COAST GUARD MEMBERS AND OTHERS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SUZANNE BONAMICI

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 3, 2019

  Ms. BONAMICI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the 
generosity and public service of the organizers of the Be The Light 
Food Pantry.
   More than 500 active duty members of the Coast Guard and their 
families live and work in NW Oregon, and their mission is critical to 
our nation's safety. The Coast Guard protects our borders and our 
national security. They save lives every day, ensuring the safety of 
our fishing fleet and the many others who rely on the Columbia River 
and the ocean for their livelihood.
   Because of the longest-ever government shutdown this winter, the 
dedicated members of the U.S. Coast Guard missed two consecutive 
paychecks. This was the first time in modern history that a branch of 
the armed forces went without pay. It is unconscionable that people who 
are protecting our country should be forced to work without getting 
their paychecks.
   Over the course of the 35-day-long shutdown, I heard from many U.S. 
Coast Guard members and spouses who were furious, demoralized, and very 
stressed about their personal finances.
   Michelle discovered that her 16-year-old was skipping meals because 
he was worried there wouldn't be enough food for his younger siblings.
   Amanda had to explain to her five kids why the family needed food 
assistance, even though their dad was working hard every day to serve 
our country.
   Robin, a proud Coast Guard mom with three sons and one daughter-in-
law in the Coast Guard, told me that one of her sons lost an apartment 
because he couldn't afford to put down a deposit.
   Our national security depends on having service members who are 
focused on the job at hand, and the mission could be compromised if 
Coast Guard members are worried about how they're going to keep a roof 
over their heads or put food on the table. The effects on future 
recruitment and our standing in the world are also deeply concerning.
   In the midst of this calamity, an inspiring effort came together--
the Be The Light Food Pantry for Coast Guard members and all federal 
employees affected by the shutdown. U.S. Coast Guard spouses Stacey 
Benson, Michelle Somers, and Amanda Gibbs generously led the effort, 
giving countless hours of their time. Community members, local Boy 
Scout Troop 211, the Masonic Temple of Astoria, the Moms Club of 
Astoria, the U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Association, and many 
private businesses contributed thousands of pounds of food and hundreds 
of

[[Page E397]]

hours of volunteer time to make the pantry a success.
   In its first weekend, the food pantry served 503 families. That's 
503 families who could have faced hunger because of the harmful and 
unnecessary shutdown. It is inspiring to see how the community came 
together to support our Coast Guard members and their families.

                          ____________________