[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14729]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNITION OF ANN AND LYDIA ENDREJATIS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 7, 2004

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to recognize Ann 
and Lydia Endrejatis of Collinsville, Illinois.
  Ann and Lydia are recipients of this year's ``Spirit of Excellence'' 
award annually awarded by the Collinsville Chamber of Commerce. Ann and 
Lydia are being recognized for their lifelong commitment to making 
Collinsville a better place for all of us.
  In nominating them, Diane Meyer wrote the following:
  Diakonia. If you think diakonia is Greek to you, well you're correct. 
Diakonia is Greek for service, an ancient art still being practiced 
today in Collinsville. The number of people volunteering their time and 
talent for the good of the community is unrivaled. These ``servants'' 
exemplify the ancient meaning of the word mercy--concrete acts of 
kindness. Although most neither seek nor desire the spotlight, they 
certainly deserve our sincere thanks.
  Ann and Lydia Endrejatis.
  While many who volunteer specialize in one or two things, Ann and 
Lydia do about everything and through their many specific acts of 
kindness, truly define the word ``volunteer.'' Since retiring, one or 
the other or both have worked for the following entities:
  Anderson Hospital Auxiliary, Miner's Theater, Collinsville office of 
the American Cancer Society, Downtown Collinsville, Inc., Collinsville 
Senior Citizens, Cahokia Mounds Visitor's Center, City of Collinsville 
Shuttle Bus Dispatchers, senior citizen income tax preparations, Fox 
Theater usher, Holy Cross Lutheran Church Altar Guild and senior 
citizen worship meal, city historic researchers for Lucille Stehman's 
newspaper series, Meals on Wheels, schools library aid. The amazing 
thing about this extraordinary list is that it is a partial list.
  The story of Ann and Lydia does not end with the work that they do. 
It continues with their encouragement and support of others who 
volunteer for the community. If someone is receiving an award, they are 
there. If something is being dedicated, they are there. If someone puts 
on a parade, they are there. If there is a civic ceremony, yes, they 
are there. With encouragement comes hope and with hope comes the 
wherewithal a city needs to tackle its future. Ann and Lydia Endrejatis 
provide Collinsville with concrete acts of kindness and to them we give 
our heartfelt thanks. Diakonia.
  I offer my personal congratulations to my friends Ann and Lydia as 
well as my thanks to the Collinsville Chamber of Commerce for being as 
moved by Diane's nomination as I was.

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