[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 12868-12869]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               20TH ANNIVERSARY OF SOJOURNER TRUTH HOUSE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 5, 2017

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure and admiration 
that I recognize the Sojourner Truth House as the organization 
celebrates its 20th anniversary. In honor of this special occasion, the 
Sojourner Truth House will host an open house followed by a celebration 
mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Angels on September 16, 2017. The 
organization will then conclude its day of celebration with a reception 
at Avalon Manor in Merrillville, Indiana.
  The Sojourner Truth House, a not-for-profit organization located in 
Gary, Indiana, serves an average of 2,092 homeless and at-risk women 
and children per month. The outstanding and compassionate employees and

[[Page 12869]]

volunteers at the Sojourner Truth House assist and encourage their 
clients to regain their dignity and sense of purpose for themselves, 
their children, and their communities. The organization's dedication to 
its four core values--Openness to the Spirit, Community, Simplicity, 
and Dignity and Respect for all--fosters a safe environment for their 
clients to identify and overcome the barriers in their lives. Clients 
are provided with access to resources, classes, counseling, and various 
activities aimed at healing the mind, body, and spirit. Among the 
organization's numerous and important contributions, the Sojourner 
Truth House has clothed over 2,000 clients and has provided meals for 
nearly 15,000 people in need. Clients of the Sojourner Truth House 
share their appreciation for the warm, welcoming assistance they 
receive at the Sojourner Truth House, which only further reinforces the 
positive and lasting impact the organization has on the community of 
Gary and the entirety of Northwest Indiana. Recently, they have become 
a special limited partner in the Village of Hope, a 40-unit apartment 
building for homeless individuals and families with mental illness and/
or addiction.
  I would like to take time to mention some of the inspiring leaders in 
Northwest Indiana who have worked with the Sojourner Truth House to 
bring about positive, impactful change and to inspire the community. 
They include Executive Director Sister Peg Spindler, Chairwoman Judith 
Stanton, and the rest of the current Board of Directors: Leo Barron, 
Regina Biddings-Muro, Susan Cohen, Denise Dillard, James Donovan, 
Sister Michele Dvorak, Mike Gluszewski, Jason Griffin, Roxanne Morton, 
Sister Cathy Schwemer, Vickey Sultzman, Michelle Taylor, Scott Yahne 
and Pamela Yttri. I am also grateful for the sponsorship of the Poor 
Handmaids of Jesus Christ, who work tirelessly to spread the goodwill 
and hope the Sojourner Truth House exudes.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues 
join me in honoring and congratulating the Sojourner Truth House on its 
20th anniversary. For the past 20 years, the staff and leadership have 
touched the lives of countless individuals through their unwavering 
commitment to those in need. The ministry is both a beacon of hope and 
a network of support for so many and serves as an inspiration to us 
all.

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