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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E522]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING 100 YEARS OF GOODWILL-EASTER SEALS OF MINNESOTA
______
HON. BETTY McCOLLUM
of minnesota
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, May 1, 2019
Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor 100 years of
outstanding community service and support from Goodwill-Easter Seals of
Minnesota. Since 1919, Goodwill-Easter Seals of Minnesota has empowered
some of our most vulnerable neighbors by providing services and support
to overcome barriers to employment and pursue lives of independence and
self-reliance.
Saint Paul Goodwill Industries began in 1919 with a store in the
basement of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Saint Paul. Goodwill
trained workers to repair and resell donated merchandise through its
retail operation. During the Great Depression, the jobs created through
this model became a critical lifeline for those who had them. Goodwill
also operated a home for the elderly, a Community House for workers,
and a vocational training program for young persons with physical
disabilities.
As the organization grew and matured, it continued supporting
Minnesota's workforce, this time, at the request of the federal
government. Through WWII and afterwards, Goodwill Industries opened up
its much sought after vocational programs to service members returning
from their deployments. Some of those who carried the physical ravages
of war with them were enrolled in new training programs, and a training
center was built to accommodate them. This chapter in the history of
Goodwill-Easter Seals is just another example of this organization
rising to the challenge and equipping people with the tools to be
successful in their communities.
Because of its century of expertise and accumulated knowledge, today
Goodwill-Easter Seals is a leader in policy pertaining to workforce
development for individuals with disabilities and other barriers to
work. Now with 50 locations around the state, Goodwill-Easter Seals
Minnesota prevents 60 million pounds of second-hand items from ending
up in landfills, all while guiding an average of four people per day
into workplaces of their own.
For 100 years, Goodwill-Easter Seals has provided a pillar of
economic stability in communities throughout Minnesota. The Goodwill-
Easter Seals' model of giving items a second life, and using the
revenue to support effective job training for members of our community
is one that has stood the test-of-time. The positive benefits to our
community that have accumulated over the years from this approach are
seemingly incalculable. Our community would be poorer and less vibrant
were it not for the work and diligence of 100 years of staff and
supporters who kept Goodwill-Easter Seals of Minnesota running
efficiently and continuing to strive for improvement.
Madam Speaker, please join me in celebrating 100 years of Goodwill-
Easter Seals of Minnesota empowering and uplifting Minnesota's
communities.
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