The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“SUPPORTING THE PRISON CARD PROGRAM” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Justice was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E2503-E2504 on Nov. 19, 1999.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
SUPPORTING THE PRISON CARD PROGRAM
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HON. KAREN McCARTHY
of missouri
HON. JOSE E. SERRANO
of new york
in the house of representatives
Thursday, November 18, 1999
Ms. McCARTHY of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleague, the distinguished Ranking Member of the Appropriation Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and State, the gentleman from New York, Mr. Serrano, to highlight a successful initiative for more than 25 years, and to urge its continuation. The Salvation Army has been working with the Bureau of Prisons to operate what is known as the Prison Card Program. Under this highly successful program, greeting cards are donated to The Salvation Army which are then given to inmates at correctional facilities across the country. This program allows inmates to keep in touch with family and friends--affording them the opportunity to stay in contact not only during the holiday season and on special occasions, but throughout the year. This clearly benefits the inmates and their loved ones, but we know that the community at large benefits because prisoners who maintain strong ties are less likely to return to prison once their sentence is completed. In short, this a win-win program.
The Department of Justice and the Bureau of Prisons should be commended for their support of this program. The Prison Card Program has the support of Congress and the Department should have confidence in such support for this program--which has operated for more than a quarter-century. My colleague, the gentlemen from New York, Mr. Serrano, and I are prepared to work with the distinguished Chairman of the Appropriation Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and State, the gentlemen from Kentucky, Mr. Rogers, and other Congressional supporters of the program in the coming months to ensure that the Department of Justice receives the continuing and specific authority that might be needed to ensure that this important charitable program is sustained well into the future. I can assure the Members of the House that I will work with them to develop legislative language if necessary to assure a long term solution on this issue. The parties involved should be confident that Congress supports programs such as this.
The gentleman from New York, Mr. Serrano, and I share the support for this program and know what a valuable contribution it has made to the inmates, their family and friends and the public. The Salvation Army should be commended for its Prison Card Program as should the Justice Department and the Bureau of Prisons for their continuing support of this important program.
Mr. Speaker, please join with my colleagues in supporting the Prison Card Program.
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