[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 182 (Thursday, November 14, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1444]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE KICK FOR NICK FOUNDATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 14, 2019

  Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, just a few weeks ago I had the 
extraordinary opportunity to participate in a local fundraiser for the 
Kick For Nick Foundation and was so inspired by the generosity of the 
participants and the mission of the Foundation that I wanted to share 
the experience with my colleagues.
  PFC Nicholas A. Madaras of Wilton, Connecticut served our country 
bravely in Iraq until his life was cut tragically short by an IED on 
September 3, 2006. He was just 19 years old and weeks away from the 
scheduled end of his deployment. Nick had been an avid soccer player, 
coach, and referee growing up and when he had last came home on leave 
he had shared stories about connecting with young Iraqi children 
through the sport, often using anything they could find as a ball, most 
times nothing more than a tin can. Nick asked friends and family to 
send him a few soccer balls to share with the children in Baqubah. 
Unfortunately, he never got that chance.
  Yet, from their grief, Nick's family and friends found a new 
mission--a way to pay tribute to Nick's memory, his passion for soccer, 
and his desire to make a difference in the lives of the children he had 
met in the war-tom country where he served. Shortly after his passing, 
Nick's family was approached by Ken Dartley, also of Wilton, who had 
read Nick's story and asked to start a program collecting soccer balls 
in his honor to fulfill his wish to share his love and passion for the 
game with Iraqi children. It was through this first effort that the 
Kick For Nick Foundation was born.
  What began with a few soccer balls in a net donated at the James P. 
Whipple American Legion Post 86 in Wilton has since grown exponentially 
with over 50,000 soccer balls having been donated and distributed to 
date. The Kick For Nick Foundation has received donations from 47 of 
the 50 states and, prior to distribution, each one is inscribed three 
times with Nick's name. Initially the balls were distributed only by US 
troops in Iraq, but over the years, in addition to soldiers, the 
distribution network has grown to include US military contractors, 
volunteers, individuals, schools, and charitable organizations. Balls 
have been given to underprivileged children in more than 50 countries 
including Afghanistan, Syria, Lebanon, Bhutan, Guatemala, Colombia. 
Beyond, the distribution of soccer balls, when they have the 
opportunity and the supplies, Kick For Nick has also provided uniforms, 
cleats, shin guards, personal hygiene supplies such as toothbrushes and 
toothpaste, school supplies such as pencils, notebooks and backpacks, 
as well as occasional food supplies.
  As I walked through the fundraiser and the many who had gathered to 
support the Foundation, I was inspired by the displays showing pictures 
of troops distributing the balls and of notes of thanks from the 
soldiers distributing them as well as the young people receiving them. 
I had the opportunity to speak with Nick's father, Bill, as well as 
several of his family members, finding myself in awe of their strength 
and determination to ensure Nick's memory continues to make a 
difference in the world. The Kick For Nick Foundation is an 
extraordinary effort and a wonderful tribute to PFC Madaras. It is my 
hope that their success continues to grow and that they can continue in 
their mission to foster peace, good will and stability across the globe 
by collecting soccer balls and delivering them into the hands of 
underprivileged children around the world--honoring the memory of PFC 
Nicholas A. Madaras and giving life to his dream of bringing a bit of 
hope and joy to children living in difficult circumstances

                          ____________________