[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 205 (Monday, November 29, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S8778]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                        TRIBUTE TO MARIE BEAVER

 Mrs. CAPITO. Madam President, I rise today to honor a good 
friend of mine for the work she has done for women in recovery. Marie 
Beaver is retiring after 18 years as the executive director of Rea of 
Hope, a very successful recovery program and facility in my hometown of 
Charleston, WV, which she built from the ground up.
  Although Marie is not a native of West Virginia, she found her way to 
our State as a result of her marriage to her husband, Carl Beaver. 
Shortly after her arrival, Marie was hired and started working to 
create Rea of Hope just before the full scope of the addiction epidemic 
was recognized.
  Working with little money and a lot of help from volunteers, 
including the organization's board of directors, and donated labor from 
a work release program, Marie transformed a deteriorating home on the 
East End of Charleston into our State's first recovery home for women.
  Marie's personal experience as a recovering addict shaped the 
foundation of Rea of Hope as an abstinence only, no tolerance recovery 
home. Residents are expected to find and hold a job, pay rent, attend 
12-step meetings, and take responsibility for the mistakes of their 
past and pay their debts. Personal responsibility is a tenet of the 
program and Rea of Hope has a long list of successful graduates who 
have completed their high school and college degrees, are employed in 
both the public sector and privately owned businesses, are becoming 
first-time homebuyers, and, most importantly, are being reunited with 
their children, providing safe, loving homes.
  The home's success is how I met Marie. The White House Drug Czar 
under President George W. Bush, John P. Walters, visited Rea of Hope 
with me early in my congressional career. Marie was a gracious hostess, 
and the Drug Czar was very impressed with what he saw and experienced. 
A rose bush was brought from the White House on that visit, which was 
planted, and I believe is still in Rea of Hope's front yard.
  As a next step, Marie realized that there were no affordable, safe 
apartments to rent for graduates of the program in the Charleston area. 
She began arranging financing and buying apartment properties and 
renting them to the graduates. As a result, graduates are able to learn 
about renting and the associated costs, but do not have to worry about 
unruly neighbors or drugs or alcohol being on the premises. The 
apartments have created a sober community where women take care of one 
another and their children, as built-in baby sitters when mothers have 
to work or attend a 12-step meeting. This successful model of recovery 
has helped 250 women from 44 West Virginia counties learn to live 
sober, responsible lives. The annual fundraiser named, ``Miracle on Lee 
Street'' reflecting Rea of Hope's address is a very fitting name. If 
success is measured by the difference you make, Rea of Hope's success 
is immeasurable.
  Marie and her husband Carl have decided to retire and return to her 
home State of South Carolina to be near family, the ocean, and her 
beloved Clemson Tigers. Marie made West Virginia her home over the 
nearly 20 years she lived here, cultivating friendships, whether 
professionally or personally throughout the State. She put such a 
positive face on recovery and exemplified that long-term recovery is 
possible and so rewarding.
  Thank you, Marie, for the terrific work you have done and the example 
you and Rea of Hope have set as a model for recovery. Marie has 
established a high standard, and I am sure Rea of Hope will maintain 
the quality of service that she performed.
  I wish Marie the best, and like all who know her, I will miss her. I 
am proud to call Marie friend and fellow West Virginian.

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