[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 1, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E522]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING 100 YEARS OF GOODWILL-EASTER SEALS OF MINNESOTA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 1, 2019

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor 100 years of 
outstanding community service and support from Goodwill-Easter Seals of 
Minnesota. Since 1919, Goodwill-Easter Seals of Minnesota has empowered 
some of our most vulnerable neighbors by providing services and support 
to overcome barriers to employment and pursue lives of independence and 
self-reliance.
  Saint Paul Goodwill Industries began in 1919 with a store in the 
basement of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Saint Paul. Goodwill 
trained workers to repair and resell donated merchandise through its 
retail operation. During the Great Depression, the jobs created through 
this model became a critical lifeline for those who had them. Goodwill 
also operated a home for the elderly, a Community House for workers, 
and a vocational training program for young persons with physical 
disabilities.
  As the organization grew and matured, it continued supporting 
Minnesota's workforce, this time, at the request of the federal 
government. Through WWII and afterwards, Goodwill Industries opened up 
its much sought after vocational programs to service members returning 
from their deployments. Some of those who carried the physical ravages 
of war with them were enrolled in new training programs, and a training 
center was built to accommodate them. This chapter in the history of 
Goodwill-Easter Seals is just another example of this organization 
rising to the challenge and equipping people with the tools to be 
successful in their communities.
  Because of its century of expertise and accumulated knowledge, today 
Goodwill-Easter Seals is a leader in policy pertaining to workforce 
development for individuals with disabilities and other barriers to 
work. Now with 50 locations around the state, Goodwill-Easter Seals 
Minnesota prevents 60 million pounds of second-hand items from ending 
up in landfills, all while guiding an average of four people per day 
into workplaces of their own.
  For 100 years, Goodwill-Easter Seals has provided a pillar of 
economic stability in communities throughout Minnesota. The Goodwill-
Easter Seals' model of giving items a second life, and using the 
revenue to support effective job training for members of our community 
is one that has stood the test-of-time. The positive benefits to our 
community that have accumulated over the years from this approach are 
seemingly incalculable. Our community would be poorer and less vibrant 
were it not for the work and diligence of 100 years of staff and 
supporters who kept Goodwill-Easter Seals of Minnesota running 
efficiently and continuing to strive for improvement.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in celebrating 100 years of Goodwill-
Easter Seals of Minnesota empowering and uplifting Minnesota's 
communities.

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