[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24304]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



            GENERAL FEDERATION OF WOMEN'S CLUBS ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 6, 1999

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to the attention of 
my colleagues the 75th Anniversary of the General Federation of Women's 
Clubs (GFWC) of Luzerne County. The GWFC will celebrate this milestone 
at a breakfast meeting on Saturday, October 9, 1999. I am pleased and 
proud to have been asked to participate in this event.
  Since 1924, the GFWC has been a community-based, volunteer 
organization representing women of all ages. Early records show 
meetings held in two parts, the Board of Directors and a Presidents 
Meeting, which involved club presidents from all over the county in 
attendance. The purpose of the organization was to bring together the 
officers of all area women's clubs and consolidate various volunteer 
programs and projects. The Luzerne County GFWC currently consists of 
fourteen volunteer clubs representing almost 600 women of all ages.
  Many worthy causes have benefited from the GFWC's efforts throughout 
the years. Federation Day, held in conjunction with Boscov's Department 
store, has brought thousands of dollars to area social service 
agencies. In the early 1980s, the GWFC donated almost $40,000 to the 
Domestic Violence Service Center to aid a shelter for battered women 
and children. Other GWFC projects have included supporting Drug Free 
School Zones signs for all area schools and universities, rooms for 
terminally ill patients at Hospic St. John, hearing aids for Wyoming 
Valley Childrens Association, a van for Catherine McCauley Center, 
wishes for terminally ill children under the Make A Wish Foundation, a 
rescue boat for the Luzerne County Sheriff's Office, and a beautiful 
new marquee for the Kirby Center.
  The General Federation of Women's Clubs of Luzerne County is 
affiliated with the national GFWC in Washington, D.C. and the 
Pennsylvania GFWC. Consisting of six departments--arts, conservation, 
education, home life, international affairs, and public affairs--the 
Federation's structure helps it address the needs of the community and 
respond to calls for help. Nationally, some twenty-seven million 
volunteer hours and more than $56 million have been donated to 
volunteer projects since 1996. Locally, the GFWC proudly joins in this 
massive volunteer effort each and every year. This year, the local club 
joins in the effort to assist our libraries, turning its volunteer 
resources to the America's Promise program to ``keep our library doors 
open.''
  Mr. Speaker, the Luzerne County GFWC is an essential element in the 
high quality of life we enjoy in Northeastern Pennsylvania. These 
dedicated women take time out of their busy lives to touch the lives of 
thousands of others. I am proud to join with the community on this 
milestone anniversary in thanking the General Federation of Women's 
Clubs and its fourteen affiliates for 75 years of good work and 
community service. Northeastern Pennsylvania is truly richer through 
the hard work of these dedicated individuals.

                          ____________________