[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 22108-22109]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO GARY, LISA, JACKSON AND JESSICA WALTERS FOR THEIR SUPPORT 
                          FOR KINSHIP PARTNERS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHELE BACHMANN

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 17, 2009

  Mrs. BACHMANN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor one of the most 
passionate families I have ever met, Gary and Lisa Walters and their 
children, Jackson (age 15) and Jessica (age 14). They are passionate 
about making a difference in their community. To raise awareness and 
funds for Kinship Partners, a mentoring program that relies only on 
donations, the Walters Family traveled from Brainerd, Minnesota to our 
capital, Washington, DC. But unlike most Americans who travel to 
Washington, D.C. for a cause, they chose an unusual mode of 
transportation. Gary and Jackson both rollerbladed across the country, 
while Jessica biked along side them.
  From August 13th to September 7th, Gary and Jackson woke up and 
strapped on their trusty rollerblades, Jessica hopped on her bike and 
together, they embarked on this heart-warming adventure. They were 
sore; they were tired; but they were not discouraged by

[[Page 22109]]

challenges. For the past 7 years, in fact, Gary has put himself through 
some rigorous challenges to raise awareness for Kinship Partners, 
including walking the length of Minnesota, biking to New Orleans and 
camping out on the Brainerd, Minnesota water tower for more than a 
week. It is his unwavering dedication to Kinship Partners that has 
helped raise over 100,000 dollars and kept the program strong.
  Kinship is a mentoring program in north-central Minnesota that 
matches children with caring adults based on mutual interests. For a 
few hours a week, they get together and spend time doing whatever it is 
they like. It's not a complicated formula, but it is a somewhat new 
take on mentoring programs. And Kinship Partners is seeing success 
stories in 24 Minnesota communities as a result of their back-to-basics 
strategy. In fact, there is even a waiting list. When children know 
that there is someone who is absolutely crazy about them and committed 
to their well-being, there are no limits to their success.

                          ____________________