[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17968]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          CELEBRATING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LORD'S PLACE

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 21, 2013

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and 
congratulate The Lord's Place as they celebrate their 30th anniversary. 
Over the years, I have come to work very closely with this wonderful 
non-profit organization and have seen first-hand the critical work they 
do to aid the homeless population in South Florida. It is particularly 
fitting that we mark this anniversary during National Hunger and 
Homelessness Awareness week, when, as a nation, we reflect on the 
progress we have made in reducing hunger and homelessness, and recommit 
ourselves to the work that remains to put an end to these tragedies 
once and for all.
  For 30 years, The Lord's Place has been a place of refuge for 
homeless Floridians in Palm Beach County. The organization is dedicated 
to breaking the cycle of homelessness, and provides critical services 
to the local community such as job training, health and human services, 
supportive housing, and community engagement.
  Additionally, The Lord's Place operates numerous social enterprises 
and businesses, such as a thrift store, a catering company, and a 
community garden, which provide real world experience to homeless 
Floridians attempting to break their own cycle of homelessness. By 
helping to educate and provide valuable employment opportunities for 
these men and women, The Lord's Place provides a path that has already 
allowed hundreds of formerly homeless Floridians to reenter society and 
lead independent and self-sufficient lives.
  In 2012, The Lord's Place provided these support services to hundreds 
of people in need. More than 400 men, women, and children were offered 
supportive housing, and remarkably, by the end of the year, 92 percent 
of these individuals were no longer homeless. Many now lead self-
sufficient and independent lives. Furthermore, dozens of formerly 
homeless men and women better educate themselves with the 
organization's on-the-job skill training program every year. This has 
allowed hundreds of formerly homeless Floridians to find work with 
local employers.
  Mr. Speaker, I want offer my most sincere congratulations and 
heartfelt gratitude to The Lord's Place CEO Diana Stanley, her staff, 
and volunteers for all that they do each and every single day. I very 
much look forward to continuing my partnership with them for many more 
years to come.

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