[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 49 (Tuesday, April 28, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E687]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        A TRIBUTE TO LYNN O'SHEA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM O. LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 28, 1998

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to acknowledge the very 
special contributions to my community and to humanity in general by an 
outstanding individual, Ms. Lynn O'Shea.
  Lynn O'Shea is best known for her dedication to enriching the lives 
of people with disabilities, especially in her 15 years of work as 
Executive Director of Seguin Services. On May 1, 1998, Lynn is leaving 
Seguin to become Executive Director of a similar agency that is closer 
to her home.
  As an employee of Seguin for 15 years, Lynn has served in many roles. 
Under her leadership, Seguin has been fiscally sound in the face of 
continuing funding crises and has grown into a $15 million organization 
that provides jobs for over 400 people. More notably, Lynn has 
responded to the growing needs of foster care homes for infants and 
children with disabilities and severe medical conditions by launching a 
foster care program that is now recognized as a model in Illinois. Most 
importantly, Lynn has helped people with developmental disabilities to 
live and work in the same way their neighbors do, she has broken down 
barriers to community integration by supporting developmentally 
disabled adults find jobs in the community, and she has established 
small single family homes with permanent foster parents.
  Lynn is a role model not only for the citizens of Illinois, but for 
all workers in the social work industry. She is highly regarded in her 
field among her colleagues in Illinois. Her leadership style and never-
say-no attitudes have earned her respect, admiration and love from her 
management team.
  It is with great pleasure that I ask my colleagues to recognize her 
accomplishments and to thank Lynn for her extraordinary work, 
leadership and dedication to helping citizens throughout the state of 
Illinois.

                          ____________________