[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22017]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          FREEDOM SERVICE DOGS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB BEAUPREZ

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 15, 2003

  Mr. BEAUPREZ. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to rise today and deliver 
this Proclamation honoring Freedom Service Dogs, Inc. on the Occasion 
of its 16th Anniversary.
  Whereas, Freedom Service Dogs is celebrating its 16th year of 
exemplary service to people with mobility impairments by providing them 
with service dogs and,
  Whereas, Freedom Service Dogs was founded by Mike Roche, who served 
the people of Colorado as a paramedic, and P.J. Roche, a dog trainer, 
and
  Whereas, Freedom Service Dogs provides enhanced independence of 
Colorado citizens with mobility impairments by training dogs to open 
doors, turn on lights, pull wheelchairs, pick up dropped items, tug on 
and off clothing, and alert for help when needed and,
  Whereas, Freedom Service Dogs saves the lives of dozens of good dogs 
abandoned in animal shelters by training them for service to those with 
mobility impairments, and,
  Whereas, Freedom Service Dogs provides people with mobility 
impairments to more fully participate in their community, and enjoy 
increased confidence, self-esteem and social acceptance, and,
  Whereas, Freedom Service Dogs is a charitable organization that 
charges no fees for its service and relies on the support of our 
community to perform its good work, and,
  Whereas, Freedom Service Dogs serves as a model for improving our 
community by helping those who live in it.
  The Congressman of the 7th District of the State of Colorado, The 
Honorable Bob Beauprez issues this proclamation of congratulations and 
recognition to Freedom Service Dogs celebrating 16 years of service and 
commends this extraordinary organization to our fellow citizens.

                          ____________________