[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 120 (Wednesday, July 17, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E937-E938]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF SOUTHERN MISSOURI

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BILLY LONG

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 17, 2019

  Mr. LONG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the decade of service 
that Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri has provided to its local 
communities as it celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.
  When Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri was founded in 2009, 
there were just two offices and two employees focused on family and 
mental health counseling. However, its role drastically changed in May 
2011, when a powerful tornado struck the city of Joplin. Catholic 
Charities of Southern Missouri raced into action and became a vital 
lifeline for those

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who had lost everything. Within a year of the disaster, Catholic 
Charities of Southern Missouri had become the largest provider of 
Disaster Case Management in the entire state.
  Soon after, Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri launched a new 
program, aimed at helping to rebuild the community. With the help of 
volunteers, it worked to repair 250 homes, and completely restore 15 in 
the Joplin area. Since then, Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri 
has expanded to include assistance with flood-damaged communities. It 
also opened their LifeHouse Crisis Maternity Home, to serve the needs 
of homeless pregnant women in the community and have even started 
Support Services for Veteran Families Program.
  What started as a small operation has turned into a well-oiled 
machine. There are now 85 staff operating out of nine offices across 
southern Missouri, covering 25,719 square miles. Due to the large area 
covered, it is difficult for those in need to come to these offices, so 
the staff goes to them, ensuring that they help as many as they 
possibly can. Their mission is simple, ``Motivated by the love of 
Christ, Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri seeks to improve the 
lives of the vulnerable by providing quality, compassionate social 
services, which meet local needs.''
  Madam Speaker, Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri exemplifies 
the best qualities that an organization can possess. They work every 
day to serve the needs of the communities of southern Missouri, mainly 
assisting those who are in poverty or have recently lost their entire 
livelihood. I am honored to rise in recognition of their services and 
ask all Americans to join me in gratitude for their continued service.

                          ____________________