Date: 2010-12-17
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 1621. "Recognizing the 100th Anniversary of the Historic Founding of Catholic Charities USA." Let me begin by thanking my colleague Representative RUSH HOLT for introducing this incredibly important piece of legislation into the House of Representatives. as it is imperative that we recognize and support Catholic Charities USA 100th anniversary. Mr. Speaker. as an enthusiast of Catholic Charities USA and cosponsor of this resolution. I urge my colleagues to support this measure by recognizing the importance of Catholic Charities USA and their 100 years of service to our great nation. Since the Catholic Charities USA founding in 1910 on the campus of Catholic University of America in Washington. DC. Catholic Charities has worked to establish well over 1.700 local Catholic Charities agencies and institutions around the nation. The vision of Catholic Charities USA is direct and simple. to help "people in need achieve selfsufficiency." Yet Catholic Charities USA continues to touch hundreds of thousands of lives by providing vulnerable individuals with greatly needed care. nourishment. and compassion. As an advocate for social justice. Catholic Charities USA works to empower committees around the nation maintaining that each individual is entitled to a life of dignity and opportunity that allows each person to reach their full potential. As part of our government. it is dire that we provide our constituents and all Americans with a good quality of life. By recognizing the centennial anniversary of Catholic Charities USA. we are acknowledging the extreme. positive impact of their efforts all over America and the work they do to provide all with a high quality of life. respect. and dignity. Furthermore. we would be commending and applauding Catholic Charities USAs efforts to provide children. the poor. the disabled. the elderly. and the powerless with resources like housing. food. economic security. health. a place in the workforce. and education. As for the 18th district of Texas. I would be utterly remiss if I did not take time to recognize and relay my sincerest gratitude for all that the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of GalvestonHouston has done. and continues to do in Houston. For over 60 years Catholic Charities has served the human and social service needs of Houstonians by providing communities with programs aimed at promoting and facilitating selfsufficiency. Teaching and preparing one to be selfsufficient is perhaps one of the most beautiful ways to help human kind. The Chinese proverb. "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." sheds light on the wisdom of teaching and the importance of selfsufficiency. The Archdiocese of GalvestonHouston employs this lesson through numerous programs for the elderly. refugees and immigrants. and those affected by HIV/AIDS. cancer. and devastating illnesses. One of their greatest outreach missions provided to Houstonians is disaster relief. As you well know Hurricane Ike was a grave environmental catastrophe. leaving many surviving Houstonians in disarray. bereavement. poverty. and great sadness. Yet Catholic Charities offered free disaster recovery assistance for Hurricane Ike survivors in the form of counseling and resources. Additionally. Catholic Charities AIDS ministry provides holistic services to those suffering from HIV/AIDS in form of case management. HIV education. and compassionate nonjudgmental responses. Also. through the Share Your Blessings Program. Catholic Charities is working to provide impoverished Houston families with Christmas joy and hope by seeking Angel Sponsors to provide such families with much needed personal items. Catholic Charities services in and around Houston have greatly helped the 18th district and their efforts are to be commended. Furthermore. Catholic Charities USA is inspired to reduce poverty. support families and parenthood. empower communities. and eliminate oppression. The spirit of this great organization is the embodiment of goodwill towards man. compassion. and social justice. Madam Speaker. I urge my colleagues to stand in support of this measure and to support the 100 years of monumental contributions made by Catholic Charities USA. To give them honor and praise for being a national leader in their efforts to combat poverty. promote social justice. and treat all with dignity. Mr. Speaker. I believe our body would be slipshod if we were not to pass this extraordinary measure to recognize and support Catholic Charities USA 100th anniversary and their historic founding in 1910 and all that they continue to do to better our society. I urge my colleagues to stand with Rep. HOLT and myself and vote in favor of H.R. 1621. "Recognizing the 100th Anniversary of the Historic Founding of Catholic Charities USA."