[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 72 (Wednesday, June 5, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E949]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING WHALEY CHILDREN'S CENTER

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                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 4, 2002

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Whaley 
Children's Center for the presentation of an endowment garden. There 
will be a ceremony to unveil the garden on June 5, in my hometown of 
Flint, Michigan.
  Whaley Children's Center was the dream of Robert J. Whaley to honor 
the memory of his son, Donald M. Whaley. Robert Whaley conceived the 
idea for a home that would support the social, emotional, and physical 
growth of neglected and homeless children. His original idea was to 
provide a place where the children could live until they reached 
maturity. In 1924 under the control of the vestry of St. Paul's 
Episcopal Church, the Whaley Foundation was organized. Under the 
direction of its first president, Charles S. Mott, and the guidance of 
the Child Welfare League of America, the memorial home was built in 
1926. Today the focus of care is to nurture the child and restore the 
youngster to a family setting.
  Over the past seven decades the Whaley Children's Center has cared 
for more than 7,500 children. It has four group homes within the 
community that care for 6 children each between the ages of 5 and 12. 
On it's main campus Whaley provides additional care for 24 other 
children. To achieve the goal of effectively placing a child with a 
family, the staff work closely with both the families and the children. 
Whether it is with the original family, foster parents, or if the 
children are being adopted, special attention is given to ensure a 
smooth transition and a successful placement. The purpose is to 
maintain a positive influence on the children so that they can grow to 
be contributors within the community.
  The Whaley Children's Foundation has added many new facilities and 
programs since the conception of the children's memorial home. In 1955 
a recreational facility was built with a gym, classrooms, and a craft 
room on the campus. In 1977 the Foundation was one of the few who 
offered a treatment foster care program with a specially trained 
family. During that same year an educational facility was built that 
had five new classrooms, a meeting room, and several offices. In 1982 
Whaley's Special Needs Adoption program was started. In 1984 a board of 
directors was established to take over daily control of the Foundation. 
Since then they have expanded their fundraising efforts through the 
Whaley golf outing, the ``World's Greatest Office Party'', and a 
``Whaley of an Auction.''
  Their newest project was made possible by the ideas and direction of 
the board members to build a garden to recognize those who have worked 
with the neglected children in the past, present, and future. To thank 
the contributors of the Whaley Foundation there will be plaques with 
their names in the garden. Each year the names of new contributors will 
be added in the garden. The garden is 80 feet long and is located in 
the center of the campus.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in 
congratulating the Whaley's Children Center for the construction of a 
garden that honors those who contributed time and money to 
underprivileged children.

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