[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24258]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


  CONGRATULATING SISTER MARY ROSE CHRISTY ON RECEIVING THE JEFFERSON 
                                 AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 28, 2005

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Sister Mary 
Rose Christy on her recent receipt of the Jefferson Award and to thank 
her for her multiple contributions to not only the Bay Area community 
but also the international community. The Jefferson Award is given by 
the American Institute for Public Service, founded by Jacqueline 
Kennedy, Senators Robert Taft Jr. and Sam Beard. The award is 
considered the Nobel Prize for public and community service. I 
congratulate her on receiving this award, and I am proud that she 
resides in my Congressional district.
  When Christy sees a need, she simply applies her talents to help 
solve the problem. Since becoming a registered nurse completing degrees 
in both social work and political science, Christy has been actively 
involved in helping the poor and underserved. In the 1950's and 1960's, 
Christy helped those in need by working in hospitals, speaking before 
state legislators, and creating community programs.
  Mr. Speaker, after suffering back injuries, Christy continued her 
advocacy for the disadvantaged by writing letters to the editor. After 
recuperating, she began a development program in Burlingame, California 
before moving on again to El Salvador.
  Christy's story of tireless work for the needs of others doesn't end 
in El Salvador. After seeing a television program that revealed the 
deplorable state of the Romanian orphanages, Christy decided she had to 
help. In 1991, she began her work in Romania. She started a new school, 
established a youth recreation program, and bettered the children's 
daily diet. Christy also addressed poverty, housing issues, and proper 
health care through more than a dozen programs that she established. 
She has also helped the community as a whole, increasing awareness on 
issues such as domestic violence, women's rights and other women's 
issues.
  Mr. Speaker, not only has Christy improved the orphanages, but also 
she has reunited families, helping to solve the root problem. Christy's 
programs have assisted in reuniting more than 2,500 families. Now, less 
than 2 percent of the children that the association works with end up 
in orphanages. Since 1995, more than 2,000 children have been prevented 
from being abandoned or put into orphanages.
  Christy's colleagues describe her as a determined activist with a 
huge heart. Her determination allows her to help many. She never takes 
no for an answer. Even though Christy's services have benefited 
thousands, she still praises the efforts of others, including those who 
have gone to help the Hurricane Katrina victims on the gulf coast. 
Christy's humility is evident when she describes herself as just one 
American among many who has helped those in need. Christy is proud of 
America's tremendous willingness to serve others.
  Sister Mary Rose Christy received this prestigious recognition for 
her activism and founding the nonprofit Romanian American Association 
for the Promotion of Health, Education and Human Services, ARAPAMESU, 
an organization that helps at-risk Romanian families, in Sibiu, 
Romania.
  Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me in thanking Sister 
Mary Rose Christy for her contributions at home and abroad. Her friends 
and colleagues have praised her for her selfless acts of service, and I 
hope the acknowledgement of this award will inspire others to devote 
more of their time to serving others.

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