[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 82 (Thursday, May 15, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H2079]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        ACTS OF SERVICE BY DIANA LAWRENCE AND TROOP BOX MINISTRY

  (Mr. TAYLOR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. TAYLOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the selfless acts 
of service done by Diana Lawrence and the Troop Box Ministry to bless 
our Nation's servicemembers.
  It all began nearly a quarter century ago in the garage of the 
Lawrences' residence in Hamersville, Ohio. One of Diana's family 
members was serving faithfully in the military in Afghanistan, and she 
sent a care package overseas to show support.
  An idea was born, and soon, students from Milford Schools and 
volunteers from all over town joined Diana's mission. Her operation 
expanded to two sheds in her backyard, where volunteers collected the 
names and addresses of troops, assembled donated items in the care 
packages, and sent them on their way overseas. Each box included a 
Gideon Bible, a deck of cards, as well as toothbrushes, shampoo, 
personal hygiene tools, and snacks.
  Troop Box Ministry started receiving special requests from soldiers, 
and soon, they were knitting wool helmet liners and collecting cans of 
spray for the bottoms of combat boots to give servicemembers a better 
grip on slippery terrain.
  Over the next 23 years, Diana and her volunteers sent an estimated 
10,000 packages to American troops serving all over the Middle East and 
beyond. As a result, Diana and her family-style operation found their 
way into southern Ohio's history books as service leaders with a 
purpose.

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