[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 48 (Tuesday, March 17, 2026)]
[House]
[Pages H2536-H2537]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    RECOGNIZING CITY RESCUE MISSION

  (Mr. Bean of Florida was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, what does it take to change a city? 
Sometimes it starts with a cup of soup.
  Eighty years ago, in Jacksonville, Florida, three businessmen did 
exactly that. They walked the streets handing out soup to men who had 
nowhere else to turn--no fanfare, no program, just compassion in 
action.
  From that small act in 1946 grew the City Rescue Mission, an 
institution that has spent eight decades restoring hope to men, women, 
and families facing homelessness, addiction, hunger, and hardship.
  What began as a small ministry has grown into a comprehensive network 
of services that provides emergency shelter, recovery programs, job 
training, medical care, and lifelong transformation for thousands of 
people in northeast Florida.
  For 80 years, the mission has reminded our community of a simple 
truth: The strength of a city is measured not by the buildings or the 
economy but by how it cares for those struggling the most.
  On May 7, the City Rescue Mission will celebrate--how about this, Mr. 
Speaker--its 80th anniversary with a dinner honoring its legacy and 
looking toward the future.
  The real story isn't the anniversary. It is the thousands of lives 
changed because someone cared enough to act.
  Mr. Speaker, may God continue to bless the men and women who have 
been a part of the mission and continue to this day to be a part of 
that mission. To think, Mr. Speaker, it all started with three people 
walking through the streets of Jacksonville, carrying nothing but soup. 
Sometimes the smallest acts of service create the biggest change.

[[Page H2537]]

  



                         honoring green berets

  Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, across the world today, brave men 
and women servicemembers are standing watch, protecting our freedoms, 
and defending the liberties we all hold dear.
  Among them is a group of soldiers whose mission is often carried out 
far away from the spotlight, and they would prefer it that way. They 
are known as the Quiet Professionals.
  They are the men and women of the United States Army Special Forces, 
the Green Berets. They serve in some of the most demanding environments 
on Earth, often behind the scenes, carrying out difficult missions that 
protect American interests and defend freedom for the people they 
probably will never meet.
  This April, the northeast Florida community will gather at the 
Jacksonville National Cemetery to unveil a memorial honoring these 
extraordinary soldiers. Many Green Berets from units such as the 7th 
Special Forces Group, who have lived, trained, served, and now, in some 
cases, rest there, are among the patriots who answered our Nation's 
call. This monument will stand as a lasting tribute to their courage, 
their sacrifice, and the families who carry the burdens of service 
alongside them.
  Mr. Speaker, the Green Berets live by a simple motto: De Oppresso 
Liber, To Free the Oppressed. They have never sought recognition, but 
now it is our honor to give it to them.

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