congressional_record: CREC-1994-10-08-pt1-PgE31
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| granule_id | date | congress | session | volume | issue | title | chamber | granule_class | sub_granule_class | page_start | page_end | speakers | bills | citation | full_text |
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| CREC-1994-10-08-pt1-PgE31 | 1994-10-08 | 103 | 2 | AID ASSOCIATION FOR LU<gr-thn-eq>THER<gr-thn-eq>ANS: NEIGHBOR HELPING NEIGHBOR | HOUSE | EXTENSIONS | FRONTMATTER | E | E | [{"name": "James A. Barcia", "role": "speaking"}] | 140 Cong. Rec. E | Congressional Record, Volume 140 Issue 146 (Saturday, October 8, 1994) [Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 146 (Saturday, October 8, 1994)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov] [Congressional Record: October 8, 1994] From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] AID ASSOCIATION FOR LUTHERANS: NEIGHBOR HELPING NEIGHBOR ______ HON. JAMES A. BARCIA of michigan in the house of representatives Friday, October 7, 1994 Mr. BARCIA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, in this time of budgetary difficulty that limits what assistance the Federal Government can provide to people in need, it is both encouraging and heart-warming to learn of organizations like the Aid Association for Lutherans. This ninety-two-year-old organization through its nearly 8,600 branches and 1.6 million members, in its own words, concentrates on a wide range of charitable, educational, social, benevolent, fraternal and patriotic programs. With over 112,000 members in Michigan, the AAL is one of the most important support groups in our State. Its efforts on behalf of the victims of the terrible flood that moved through the Midwest last year were vital to their sense of survival. The $3.5 million provided through AAL's Helping Hands program provided much more than its mere monetary value--it provided hope and reassurance to people who saw their lives being shredded by nature's fury. The work performed by the AAL volunteers who came to the flooded communities demonstrated that hands-on assistance is so very meaningful to people in their time of need. Similar assistance was also provided to the victims of Hurricane Andrew, who were the beneficiaries of the opportunities for friendship created by that natural disaster. Mr. Speaker, according to reports prepared by the Aid Association for Lutherans, over 3.5 million hours of work was provided by AAL members and their friends on behalf of the many projects that were undertaken. Helping people pay their bills, get to the grocery store, building a wheelchair ramp at the church, landscaping and other seemingly simple but vitally important acts of kindness were performed by AAL members. People constantly ask what has happened to the American spirit. Whatever happened to neighbor helping neighbor? Doesn't anyone care enough to lend a hand? All of these questions are so fully, graciously, and beautifully answered by the work done by the Aid Association for Lutherans. It will be my privilege to be with many Michigan members later this month at their annual dinner. It is my hope that I can come away with a portion of the inspiration that guides these wonderful people in acts that we should each take more time to perform. Our world can be a better place if we emulate people who care, people who give of themselves, and people who know how to give thanks through their own deeds--the members of the Aid Association for Lutherans. ____________________ |