[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 683-684]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  COMMENDING PRC COMPASSION'S EXTENSIVE CONTRIBUTIONS IN THE WAKE OF 
                      HURRICANES KATRINA AND RITA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOBBY JINDAL

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 1, 2006

  Mr. JINDAL. Mr. Speaker, it is my unique privilege today to have the 
rare opportunity to recognize and honor a truly great organization, the 
Pastor's Resource Council (PRC), and the work of the PRC Compassion. 
Formed several years ago, the PRC comprises of a coalition of churches 
and pastors who united together in order to provide relief to the 
community whenever necessary. For the past several years, the PRC has 
been playing an indispensable role in serving communities affected by 
the ravages of natural disasters whether it was through providing 
shelter to the homeless, food to the hungry, or offering spiritual 
comfort and guidance to those who needed it among a myriad of other 
services. True to its name, the PRC has always been there for the 
people of Louisiana to lend a compassionate, helping hand in the most 
difficult of times.
  The tragedy inflicted upon us by the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and 
Rita was certainly no exception. As Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc and 
destruction over the peoples of the state of Louisiana, PRC once again 
answered the call of duty and courageous pastors, priests, and other 
ministers, united in the cause of humanity and service, promptly 
organized on September 1, 2005 as ``PRC Compassion'' to provide 
immediate response to the disasters through compassion and inspiring 
hope. According to its mission, PRC Compassion coordinates national, 
state, and local faith and community-based organizations to meet the 
physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of people impacted by 
Hurricane Katrina. PRC Compassion has worked tirelessly and selflessly 
to assist those disaster stricken communities in a number of different 
capacities. The organization's accomplishments in the face of such 
adversity cannot be overstated: 1,801,200 people served; 253,260 
volunteer hours logged; 17,220 tons of food, water and supplies 
distributed; 11,480 evacuees sheltered; 10,152 volunteers deployed; 
4,500 medical encounters facilitated; 676 trained counselors and 
chaplains mobilized; 250 faith

[[Page 684]]

based organizations involved; 84 faith based shelters established; and 
16 stress management teams deployed. The organization continues to 
assist the community today.
  While words cannot adequately encapsulate the gratitude and debt the 
people of Louisiana and the rest of the country owe to this incredible 
organization, we can pay tribute to the heroic men and women of PRC 
Compassion by formally recognizing and acknowledging the caliber and 
breadth of their service to the people of Louisiana. It is for that 
reason I am pleased to recognize and commend the heroic, timely, and 
selfless actions and prayers of the faith community, particularly the 
actions and prayers of PRC Compassion, in providing assistance and 
support to the citizens of Louisiana who were displaced by Hurricanes 
Katrina and Rita. While each and every member of PRC Compassion 
deserves this commendation, I must also recognize the able leadership 
of the PRC Compassion's Board of Directors, namely Pastor Larry 
Stockstill of Bethany World Prayer Center in Baton Rouge, LA; Pastor 
Fred Luter of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, LA; Pastor 
Jacob Aranza of Our Savior's Church in Lafayette, LA; Pastor Steve 
Robinson of Church of the King in Mandeville, LA; Pastor Dennis Watson 
of Celebration Church in New Orleans, LA; Apostle Willie Wooten of 
Gideon Christian Fellowship in New Orleans, LA; Dr. Jere Melilli of 
Christian Life Fellowship in Baton Rouge, LA; and Pastor Dino Rizzo of 
Healing Place Church in Baton Rouge, LA.
  Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to be able to recognize and commend PRC 
Compassion, who went well above and beyond the call of duty in 
assisting the peoples of Louisiana during their hour of need.

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