[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 14]
[House]
[Page 18789]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1900
             IN RECOGNITION OF OPERATION HOMETOWN GRATITUDE

  Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time 
of the gentleman from North Carolina.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the gentleman from 
Minnesota is recognized for 5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, Harry Truman once said, ``America was 
built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do 
the job at hand.''
  I rise today in recognition of Operation Hometown Gratitude. 
Operation Hometown Gratitude is an effort started by students from 
Rochester, Minnesota, Public Schools to recognize the hard work and 
sacrifice of our Armed Forces. The operation was formed to thank our 
troops by sending care packages and supplies.
  I would like to recognize all of the students for their dedication. I 
am especially thankful to student organizers Katie White, Kelcey Evers, 
Brian Ehni, Corey Hinsch, Dayton Root, Greg Tri, Mitch Haack, Lucas 
Kirkam, Jon Nelson, Paul Keehn and Jayna Rench. As someone who has 
witnessed firsthand the gratitude of our Armed Forces when they receive 
these care packages and letters of encouragement, I can assure each of 
these young people that their work is important.
  The energy and enthusiasm of these young people was harnessed by a 
great American. Gary Komaniecki is a teacher at both Rochester John 
Marshall and Mayo High Schools. Gary is the advisor for these young 
people and should be recognized for his continued support for our men 
and women in uniform. Gary has received assistance from Judy Evers, 
Brenda White, Deanna Mandler, Arthur and Shirley Scammell and Maggie 
Hovel.
  I would also like to recognize the sponsors of this program: VFW Post 
1215; all three Rochester HyVee locations; Terry Timm of Ye Olde 
Butcher Shop; Dave Evans from The Printers; Darel Nigon from Nigon 
Woodworks; Shawn Flippin from National Pawn Company; Rochester Culvers, 
both north and south; Jim Rush from A-Z Embroidery; and Homestyle 
Pizza.
  Make no mistake, this job is not easy. The people of Iraq and 
Afghanistan lived under brutal regimes for decades. There is much to be 
done, and our Armed Forces continue to do their jobs well.
  Mr. Speaker, the young people who have spearheaded Operation Hometown 
Gratitude, as well as the sponsors who seeded this work, are not just 
sending care packages and supplies. By their support and their effort, 
they are displaying what Harry Truman meant by ``unbeatable 
determination'' and playing a major part in doing the job at hand.

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