[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 160 (Thursday, November 13, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2384]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING PASADENA-BAY AREA JUNIOR FORUM

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN BENTSEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 13, 1997

  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the members of the 
Pasadena-Bay Area Junior Forum for the many contributions they have 
made to our community, especially to helping disabled people in East 
Harris County, TX. I am pleased to join the city of Pasadena as they 
pay tribute to the Forum on November 25, 1997, at an event 
appropriately themed ``Goals Through Challenge.''
  The Pasadena-Bay Area Junior Forum was organized in 1961 to promote 
greater interest among women in civic, educational, and philanthropic 
fields. While forum members have provided volunteer work and financial 
support for many community activities, from schools to nursing homes, 
over the years they have come to focus on helping disabled people make 
the most of their lives. Forum members have devoted more than 33,000 
hours to serving mentally and physically disabled individuals in our 
community.
  In their very first year, forum members volunteered in special 
education classes for mentally retarded children. The next year, they 
helped to develop the opportunity center, which provided classes for 
mentally retarded children unable to attend public schools. In 1971, 
the forum purchased an acre of land with the dream of building an 
education center for the mentally retarded, and on August 21, 1979, the 
dream became a reality with the formal dedication of the Pasadena 
Junior Forum, Inc., Education Center. In 1980, a country store was 
established at the education center with a workshop to provide 
incentives for learning and development. In 1986, the Forum received a 
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant to build two 
residential facilities for mentally retarded adults, which were opened 
in 1988 under the name ``Wichita Cottages, Inc.'' Through these various 
efforts, the forum is providing independent living training that gives 
individuals the tools they need to reach their full potential. Through 
their devoted service, the women of the Pasadena-Bay Area Junior Forum 
have made a tremendous impact in the lives of disabled people 
throughout our community.
  Today, the Pasadena-Bay Area Junior Forum continues to serve the 
community in a variety of ways. They have provided support for many 
community projects, including Texas Special Olympics, puppet 
presentations to educate children about disabilities, scholarships to 
San Jacinto College, and sponsoring and volunteering in programs at the 
city of Pasadena Multipurpose Recreation Center, where the November 25 
tribute will be held.
  Because of the creativity, caring, and hard work of its members, the 
Pasadena-Bay Area Junior Forum has grown in significance over the 
years. Each member of the PBAJF understands the importance of 
community, that it thrives on involvement and starves from apathy. They 
understand that it is our government, our schools, our churches, and 
our neighborhoods we make better when we take the time to get involved. 
They understand that, when we take an hour, a day, or a week to give 
back to our communities, the effects are felt for much longer.
  I commend the good work of the Pasadena-Bay Area Junior Forum and 
their efforts to make a difference in the lives of disabled people and 
many others in our community. They are examples for all of us.

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