[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 28588]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



CONGRATULATING KEITH GIBSON, OF SIKESTON, MISSOURI, ON HIS RECOGNITION 
                     BY THE ``DAUGHTERS OF SUNSET''

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JO ANN EMERSON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 4, 1999

  Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, November 13, 1999, Keith 
Gibson is being honored by the Sikeston, MO ``Daughters of Sunset'' at 
their 15th Annual Recognition Program. I would like to extend my 
congratulations to Keith who is being recognized on this day for his 
community involvement.
  Keith was born in Chicago, IL. He is the son of Samuel and Annette 
Gibson of Sikeston, MO and Barbara and Gerald Nathan of St. Louis, MO. 
He is the 1974 graduate of McKinley High School in St. Louis, MO. On 
Thanksgiving Day in 1986, Keith moved to Sikeston, MO. He is the father 
of two sons, Keith Jr. and Tevin, and he has been employed with 
Sikeston Public Schools as a bus driver since February 1990.
  One day, Keith had an idea to have a simple picnic for his boys and 
their friends. His idea became so popular that it became an annual 
event which is now called ``Gibson's Day in the Park.'' In 1994, Keith 
started with a picnic for 15 to 20 kids. Over the years, as many as 135 
kids take part in the ``Gibson Day in the Park''--and Keith expects 
more kids to participate next year. Keith asks the ``Gibson Day'' 
participants to bring hot dogs, juice, cookies and/or chips depending 
on the size of the family. Most large families spend about $5.00 on the 
event.
  In the past years, different local businesses have helped by donating 
items for ``Gibson Day in the Park.'' Keith offers special thanks to 
Bunny Bread, McDonald's Restaurant, and Sikeston Public Schools for 
their contributions. The city of Sikeston, MO allows Keith to use their 
vans, and several parents help out with the activities.
  Keith says that he loves kids, and that they give him the strength to 
go on. Keith's plans for the future include starting a day care center 
and bringing kids camping and to the zoo. People have asked Keith how 
he does it. He tells them. ``Just look at the kids' faces when they're 
happy, and you tell me why I do it.'' In fact, Keith often says that 
he's just a big kid himself. Keith believes that the ``Gibson Day in 
the Park'' picnic shows kids that we can get along together. The day 
helps kids develop organization skills and a sense of responsibility. 
And the fact of knowing that someone out there cares about them other 
than their parents, makes the kids feel good.
  Congratulations, Keith, on your recognition by the ``Daughters of 
Sunset.'' Your dedication to the children of Sikeston, MO is both 
inspiring and heartwarming. May many more kids have the opportunity to 
benefit from you, your ``Gibson's Day in the Park,'' and your future 
hope and plans for their future.

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