[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 6]
[House]
[Page 7993]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      WELCOMING PASTOR JOE HISHMEH

  The SPEAKER. Without objection, the gentlewoman from Kansas (Mrs. 
Boyda) is recognized for 1 minute.
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. BOYDA from Kansas. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
  When Pastor Joe Hishmeh first came to Topeka from Chattanooga by way 
of Dallas, the Topeka Fellowship Bible Church's congregation consisted 
roughly of about 100 people. Six years later, that same church now has 
over 1,300 loyal members.
  Pastor Hishmeh, a husband and a father of three great boys, has 
initiated a number of programs which greatly benefit our community of 
Topeka. One of those programs is called ``Sharefest.'' Originally, 
there were three churches performing much-needed upkeep on two of our 
local schools. This year, the program has grown to eight different 
churches, including over 500 volunteers, painting and landscaping our 
Topeka schools.
  Through ``Sharefest,'' Pastor Joe has shown his congregation the joy 
of giving without expecting anything in return, very, very, very 
biblical in the principles of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 
Through ``Sharefest,'' in almost no time at all he has created a ripple 
effect of goodness and charity in the community of Topeka and beyond.
  Pastor Joe Hishmeh, thank you for bringing that ripple effect all the 
way to Congress.

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