[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 14077]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO OPERATION BLESSING

 Mr. BUNNING. Madam President, I rise today to honor and pay 
tribute to all involved in organizing Operation Blessing. Operation 
Blessing was an event hosted by seven churches for the families of the 
159th Aviation Brigade at Fort Campbell, KY which took place on May 3, 
2003. It was a work of charity and compassion for which all those 
involved are certainly deserving of thanks and respect.
  David Mudd of God's Outreach, Inc. in Owensboro, KY, led the 
organization of the event working closely with other community and 
church leaders, including Mrs. Allison Bird of Fort Campbell; Pastor 
Troy Oakley of World Destiny Church in Hopkinsville; Pastor Roy Ellis 
of Christian Assembly Church in Madisonville; Pastor Cleddie Keith of 
Heritage Assembly of God in Florence; Pastor Louis Embry of Christ 
Community Church in Hopkinsville; Pastor Tim and Linda Rigdon of New 
Covenant Church in Providence; Pastor Garswa Matally of Wing Avenue 
Baptist Church in Owensboro; Pastor Sammy Wilson of Word and Spirit 
Church in Owensboro; Don Boyd of Bethel Church in McDaniels; Steve 
Kukul of the Lipton Corporation in Owensboro; and Pastor David Pry of 
River Outreach Ministries in Evansville, IN.
  These men and women raised a lot of needed items and services for the 
families of the 159th Aviation Brigade, ranging from washing machines 
and furniture to live music and good company and fellowship. There was 
a raffle to distribute bicycles and helmets for children of the 159th 
and 17,000 pounds of food was distributed to the military families. 
Many of the members of the pastors' congregations came from all around 
the Commonwealth for fellowship with the families of deployed soldiers 
and to volunteer their time and services. The most important gift 
Operation Blessing gave was the reassurance that the sacrifices 
soldiers and their families make do not go unnoticed or unappreciated.
  Operation Blessing was a shining example of love of country and of 
compassion for our fellow soldiers. These women and men demonstrated 
that America treats her soldiers and their families with much deserved 
respect and due honor. They are to be highly commended for their acts 
of charity and their example should be noted and followed by all.
  I thank the Senate for allowing me to recognize Operation Blessing 
and the sacrifices of the 159th Aviation Brigade and their families. 
Those who made this charitable event successful and those military 
families who stand by and support our soldiers in harm's way fighting 
for our freedom are truly humble and patriotic Americans.

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