[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 65 (Friday, May 16, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E949]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              CONGRATULATIONS MARTIN LUTHER MEMORIAL HOME

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 15, 1997

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt that one of the most 
important elements in a person's life is a safe and secure place to 
live. This becomes even a more significant need when people reach a 
time in their lives when they need assistance and care on a daily 
basis. I am very pleased to let my colleagues know that the people of 
Saginaw, MI, have the good fortune to have a renovated and expanded 
Martin Luther Memorial Home that will provide essential care to many 
seniors in the years to come.
  Martin Luther Memorial Home was granted its charter on June 16, 1958, 
and operates four skilled nursing facilities with nearly 400 beds and 
one independent living community with 30 apartments. The Saginaw Home 
has 86 skilled nursing beds. Its renovations change three-bed wards 
into two-bed rooms, and convert two wings of two-bed rooms into private 
rooms. These converted beds are replaced by new beds contained in the 
expansion of the facility.
  A very important component of the Martin Luther Memorial Home is its 
support from the Lutheran churches in the area, which help with 
volunteer services, gifts to the Furnishings Fund and Foundation and 
the strength of the many prayers and opportunities for prayer on behalf 
of the residents of the facility.
  The primary beneficiaries of the expansion will be members of the 
more than 100 congregations of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran 
Churches of Northern Michigan. The Saginaw Home, with its emphasis on 
the importance of ``positive attitudes'', its provision of daily 
activities and full service care, has been and will increasingly be a 
very important part of the Saginaw community.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge you and all of our colleagues to join me in 
wishing congratulations and the best to the staff, the administrators, 
and the residents of the Martin Luther Memorial Home of Saginaw as it 
celebrates its dedication on Sunday, May 18.

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