The publication is reproduced in full below:
CELEBRATING THE GENEROSITY OF MR. RALPH ROTELLA
______
HON. JOHN KATKO
of new york
in the house of representatives
Thursday, December 23, 2021
Mr. KATKO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the generosity of Ralph Rotella, owner of Discount Shoe Repair in Syracuse and driving force behind Ralphy's Rescue Mission Shoe Drive.
In 2010, Ralph Rotella was inspired to start Ralphy's Rescue Mission Shoe Drive after seeing a homeless person outside of his shop, walking in the cold with their toe sticking out. He made the decision to provide that person with a pair of usable shoes. From that day, Ralph began annually collecting, repairing, and donating shoes to the Syracuse Rescue Mission to help more people in-need.
In Ralph's first year of operating the Shoe Drive, he donated less than 100 pairs of shoes. Each year since then, he has steadily expanded his operation, and in 2020, donated 23,187 pairs of shoes--one of the largest donations the Rescue Mission has ever received.
Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues in the House join me in honoring Ralph Rotella for his determined efforts to aid underserved members of our Central New York community.
____________________
SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 220
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