[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 527]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH MISSIONS TEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT GARRETT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 21, 2010

  Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, there is not a member of 
this body who has not been gripped by the graphic stories and images 
coming out of Haiti since the tragic earthquake on January 12. The 
human suffering is on a scale we can scarcely comprehend, and its 
proximity to our country and the need of its victims have rightly 
roused the charitable spirit of the American people. In the midst of 
such tragedy, however, we look to stories of hope from the rubble. I 
would like to share one of those stories today.
  On January 9, fifteen members of the Trinity United Methodist Church 
in Hackettstown, NJ, departed for an eight-day missions trip to Port-
au-Prince and Bon Regos, Haiti. This missions team delivered dozens of 
suitcases filled with medical equipment and personal hygiene items to 
orphanages, hospitals, and schools in some of Haiti's most 
disadvantaged neighborhoods. Thankfully, no one on the trip was 
seriously injured in the earthquake. In the following days, thanks to 
the tireless work of the State Department and the kindness of 
strangers, the entire team was evacuated to the Bahamas and is now safe 
at home with their families and loved ones.
  While it was not their intention when they signed up, the members of 
this team deserve to be recognized for their selflessness and service. 
Their names are:
  Rev. Frank L. Fowler III, Leslie Williams-Wexler, Virginia G. 
Mitchell, Erica L. Pattky, Frank Proccaccini, Suzanne P. Buchanan, 
Melissa J. Deibel, Kim M. Koch, Vicki L. Meuller, Virginia L. Thorp, 
Taylor S. Thorp, Danielle S. Chamberlain, Kathryn A. Stiner, Linda C. 
Callaham, and Carmen M. Courter.
  I join their family, friends, and parishioners in a prayer of 
thanksgiving for their safe return. I am especially proud of Erica 
Pattky and Taylor Thorp, two teenagers from my district who were part 
of this team. Their commitment to service at such a young age is a 
model for people of all ages in our community.
  In the coming months and years, American churches, non-profits, and 
relief-aid organizations will play a vital role in stabilizing and 
rebuilding the Republic of Haiti. I am convinced that Americans will 
answer the call to ``Love thy neighbor,'' not due to any government 
mandate or social obligation, but because it's just what Americans do. 
In crises both small and large, the United States has proven itself the 
most philanthropic and charitable nation in the world. I thank the 
members of Trinity Methodist for providing such a courageous example.

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