[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8462]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           CONGRATULATING TALIAFERRO COUNTY FAMILY CONNECTION

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. JODY B. HICE

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 24, 2017

  Mr. JODY B. HICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to 
Taliaferro County Family Connection, a nonprofit organization that 
advocates for children and families in northeast Georgia. Under the 
leadership of Executive Director Jackie Butts, Taliaferro Family 
Connection, in collaboration with its community partners, has achieved 
remarkable results.
  For example, they developed and implemented a plan to tackle teen 
pregnancy, which had previously been on the rise. Now the rate is 42 
percent lower. When they strategized to reduce truancy, within three 
years, the number of students absent from school more than ten days 
declined by 23 percent. And as a result of its welfare-to-work 
initiatives, traditional welfare rolls declined by more than 95 
percent. But that's not all. More babies are being born healthy, more 
children are receiving immunizations, and fewer families are living in 
poverty.
  These achievements are a result of the partnership of several 
organizations working together with families to address their 
community's needs. One such partner is the Taliaferro County Board of 
Commissioners and, in particular, Mrs. Jane Hubert. Commissioner Hubert 
has been faithful throughout the years, attending the monthly 
collaborative meetings and supporting its special events, including the 
bike rodeo, back to school bash, street dance, and more. According to 
Mrs. Butts, over the past 19 years, the Board of Commissioners ``has 
supported every aspect of everything'' Family Connection has ever done. 
``Everything I've needed they've come through with all these years,'' 
she said.
  For these reasons and on the occasion of its 19th Anniversary, it is 
my honor to acknowledge Taliaferro County Family Connection and the 
partners that contribute to its success. Furthermore, I extend my 
personal appreciation to the families who join hand-in-hand with this 
worthy organization to ensure that their children succeed in school and 
beyond.

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