[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13157]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




``HOPE BLOOMS'' FOUNDERS WAYNE AND SHANNON MARKLOWITZ OF CLEAR LAKE, MN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHELE BACHMANN

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 20, 2009

  Mr. BACHMANN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor two truly amazing 
individuals, Wayne and Shannon Marklowitz of Clear Lake, as they begin 
to create a foster care community, ``Hope Blooms'', in Becker, 
Minnesota. Wayne and Shannon are working hard to provide a safe, 
welcoming environment for some of the 650 Minnesota children between 
the ages of 0 and 18 who are waiting to be placed with a foster home. 
And, they also hope to provide a close support network for the families 
that want to provide the love and care these children so desperately 
need.
  It is not often we see such dedication toward such a selfless goal, 
particularly amidst these troubling times when people honestly turn 
their focus inward. Wayne works as a fire fighter and Shannon is 
studying to become a counselor, so there are plenty of very legitimate 
excuses to hold off on this endeavor. But the inspiration of a similar 
program in Texas, the prayers of their family, the support of their 
community and their unconditional faith have moved this project closer 
to fruition with each day. In fact, Wayne and Shannon received their 
not-for-profit status from the federal government in just one month, 
even thought they had been told the process takes a year. Even 
government appears to have been inspired by their dreams.
  After fostering 23 children with my family, I know the personal joy a 
foster child can bring to a home. I am so grateful to for that gift 
that I received as a foster parent, and I am equally grateful to the 
Marklowitz' for helping other families experience that same joy. 
Shannon and Wayne are taking on this endeavor as a leap of faith, as 
they acknowledge, answering the call from Christ's apostle James, who 
asked true believers ``to look after the orphans and widows in 
distress.''
  I rise to honor this amazing young couple for their faith and work to 
meet such important goals. The month of May has been designated as 
``National Foster Care Month'' and I encourage all Americans to look 
into foster care options and to support the families that have foster 
children. The future of our country rests firmly on the shoulders of 
our children and the hundreds of thousands of children in foster care 
are an important part in carrying on the principles of freedom and 
community on which America was founded. I look forward to seeing the 
success and joy Hope Blooms brings to foster families and children in 
and around Becker. May God continue to bless the homes that have opened 
their doors to the children in need.

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