[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12195]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 CELEBRATING NANCY MAST'S DISTINGUISHED WORK IN SERVICE TO THE UNITED 
                            STATES MILITARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JACKIE WALORSKI

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 9, 2016

  Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Nancy Mast for 
her outstanding leadership of The HUGS Project of Elkhart County.
  Having always been the type of individual to serve others, Nancy 
diligently searched for an organization that would benefit from her 
talents as a seamstress. After scouring the internet, she came across a 
worthy cause known as The HUGS Project, which delivers cooling neckties 
(nicknamed ``hugs'') to American troops in the Middle East. In 2006, 
Nancy launched The HUGS Project of Elkhart County and made it her 
mission to help grow and steer this organization in the right 
direction. What began as a handful of volunteers in a basement is now a 
bustling organization with 50 volunteers that continues to grow to this 
very day.
  In Nancy's capacity with The HUGS Project, she has overseen the 
shipping of approximately 100,000 hugs and 50,000 pounds of ``care'' 
items, which include at least one handwritten note per box, to our 
troops. Her lasting commitment to such a worthy cause is a shining 
example of devotion and selflessness in our very own Hoosier community. 
She had a dream of doing ``something'' for our troops that sacrifice so 
much for each of us every day--she has truly made that dream a reality.
  On behalf of Hoosiers in the Second Congressional District and as a 
member of the House Armed Services Committee, I would like to 
personally thank Nancy for the significant contributions she has made 
to the wellbeing of the U.S. military. Her dedication to selflessly 
serving those who protect America means so much to me and all the 
military families across the world. In addition, I would like to extend 
my applause to every member of The HUGS Project. It is my hope that 
their organization continues to flourish with each passing year.

                          ____________________