[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1331]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF WHEELER MISSION MINISTRIES

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                            HON. TODD ROKITA

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 28, 2018

  Mr. ROKITA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and salute an 
exceptional ministry in the State of Indiana. This year Wheeler Mission 
Ministries is celebrating its 125th anniversary.
  In 1893, a small group of women from the Women's Christian Temperance 
Union recognized a tragedy in their city: ``friendless women'' in 
Indianapolis were regularly abandoned at Union Station, having no place 
to go and no one to care for them. As a response, these pioneering 
women opened a small refuge and residence for women in need, a refuge 
known today as Wheeler Mission. One hundred twenty-five years later, 
Wheeler Mission has expanded to become the oldest continuously 
operating ministry of its kind in the state of Indiana. Offering the 
Indianapolis and Bloomington communities homeless shelters, residential 
programming, addiction recovery services, and social enterprises, 
Wheeler has expanded to 9 locations and dozens of ministries. While its 
programs and services have adapted to meet the ever-changing needs of 
the community, Wheeler remains focused and unwavering in its commitment 
to Christ and the transformation that is possible through the Gospel.

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