[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 1139]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF NORTHWEST 
                                FLORIDA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 29, 2008

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States 
Congress, it is with great honor that I rise today to recognize the 
immeasurable community contributions of Catholic Charities of Northwest 
Florida after 80 years of devoted service.
  In 1928, the Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity 
recognized the growing need for the Lord's work with the poor and 
disadvantaged and traveled to Pensacola, Florida to form the Bureau of 
Catholic Charities. The group aided in a variety of ministries such as 
social services, nursing, and education. Catholic Charities has 
operated out of a responsibility ``to answer Christ's call to help 
those in need,'' regardless of race, ethnicity, or religion. Over 90 
percent of those they have served are not Catholic.
  Ten years earlier, this same congregation of Roman Catholic sisters 
founded in Holy Trinity, Alabama, traveled to Pensacola to begin their 
ministries at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. However, these women were 
faced with unfortunate conditions that jeopardized their health, and it 
proved impossible to carry out their mission at that time. While their 
mission was delayed, they soon returned and were able to administer 
their ``dynamic and effective system for bringing about a better 
society.''
  Catholic Charities has been a devoted caretaker of the region since 
its inception, with continuous growth as they have expanded their 
services to include all charity work within the Pensacola area and have 
opened several offices to better serve members of the community. They 
have been instrumental in creating a kindhearted and compassionate 
environment in Northwest Florida.
  This remarkable organization has also implemented programs to assist 
with disaster recovery, refugee resettlement, immigration processes, 
and child placement to help build strong, loving families. Catholic 
Charities' dedication and vision has touched the lives of countless 
people and will forever be appreciated by generations to come.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I would like 
to offer my sincere gratitude to a generous group that has served as an 
inspiration to us all. I am proud to honor Catholic Charities of 
Northwest Florida for their deep sense of personal service to the 
Lord's work for so many years.

                          ____________________