[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16907]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          TRIBUTE TO JOHNSON COUNTY, KANSAS, CHRISTMAS BUREAU

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DENNIS MOORE

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 2003

  Mr. MOORE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank and congratulate the 
Johnson County Christmas Bureau for their great work in helping the 
needy in our community. The Johnson County Christmas Bureau is a 
nonprofit organization that has been bringing Christmas joy and holiday 
assistance to thousands in the Kansas City area for nearly forty years.
  Working out of a donated office with donated storage space, every 
year the Bureau puts together a ``Christmas shop'' for the 
disadvantaged, where each eligible family member can get a gift, a new 
item of clothing, personal items, used coats and a wide array of 
groceries. Each individual can choose his or her items, preserving the 
dignity of the family while bringing joy to those in need. The Bureau 
has received most of its funding through individuals, schools and 
church organizations--they strive to keep their overhead low so that 
more money may be used to provide a Merry Christmas to the needy.
  I want to recognize the great contribution that the Johnson County 
Christmas Bureau has made to the Kansas City community and to the many 
lives which they have brightened. Last year, the Bureau helped over 
eight thousand families and this year they expect to serve many more. 
The many people who volunteer numerous hours from their busy lives for 
the Christmas Bureau, just to see the joy on the faces of others, 
remind us how fulfilling charity can be. It is my pleasure, Mr. 
Speaker, to place in the Congressional Record this tribute to the good 
works of the Johnson County Christmas Bureau.

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