[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 147 (Wednesday, September 20, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1817]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



[[Page E 1817]]


  TWENTY YEARS OF INVALUABLE SERVICE--CONGRATULATIONS TO SERRA CENTER

                                 ______


                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 20, 1995
  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Serra 
Center, a non-profit organization located in Fremont, in California's 
13th Congressional District. This month Serra is celebrating its' 20th 
anniversary of serving adults with mental retardation.
  The Serra Center was founded in 1975 by a group of parents in the 
community, because there were no programs available to provide 
individualized care for their family members with mental retardation.
  The goals of Serra Center are to empower individuals with mental 
retardation and give them the opportunity for independence and 
productivity; to help them achieve their maximum potential in the least 
restrictive environment consistent with their needs; and to integrate 
each person into the community with a sense of dignity and well-being. 
Services provided include training in household skills such as cooking, 
cleaning and money management; development of skills leading to 
employment; training in community skills such as how to use public 
transportation, libraries, and pay phones; recreation programs, and in-
home support as needed.
  Serra was dedicated on September 14, 1975, and began by serving 19 
people in its residential program. In 1976, the Serra Center opened it 
doors with five on campus residences and an administration building. 
The organization has continued to grow, and now, in its 20th year of 
operation, the Serra Center has residential facilities for 57 people 
and provides services to 93 people living in their own homes and 
apartments in the Fremont community.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize the Serra Center on its 20th 
anniversary. I hope you and my colleagues will join me in 
congratulating the members of this organization who, 20 years ago, 
recognized a need in our community and have been working tirelessly to 
fill it ever since. I wish Serra the best and look forward to working 
with this organization for the next 20 years.


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