[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 81 (Tuesday, June 18, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1083]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNITION OF BONITA AND KEVIN SCHAEFFER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BILL SHUSTER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 18, 2002

  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Bonita and Kevin 
Schaeffer for their truly remarkable commitment to providing care to 
individuals with severe mental retardation, physical disabilities, and 
disease. On July 29th, 2002 Mr. and Mrs. Schaeffer will be celebrating 
20 years with Family Care Services, Inc. located in Chambersburg, 
Pennsylvania. During this time they have provided complete care to 
numerous individuals and continue to do so today. They currently care 
for five individuals that require assistance with almost all aspects of 
daily living.
  The story of the Schaeffers starts 20 years ago, before there were 
regulations to govern this type of care. They were the first family in 
the nation to obtain a C-1 license from the Department of Health for a 
private home. This license is the same one nursing homes are required 
to obtain. They continue to provide this high level of care with very 
little assistance from other direct care staff. This translates into 
long hours and limited time to themselves. However, Mr. and Mrs. 
Schaeffer have chosen this arrangement happily and without complaint 
demonstrating a level of commitment worthy of thanks and praise
  The Schaeffers are an excellent example of people who have chosen to 
live a life of service to others. They have opened their home and put 
the needs of others before their own for 20 years. Through personal 
sacrifice they are giving gifts of hope, strength, and love to those 
they care for. Although these gifts cannot cure the ailments of the 
body, they are a powerful medicine for the heart. I encourage others to 
follow the example the Schaeffers are setting by giving of themselves 
and helping others in any way they can. President George W. Bush, in 
his last State of the Union Address, challenged all of us to give two 
years or 4,000 hours of service over our lifetimes. I believe this is 
an important personal goal that we should all strive to reach. Mr. and 
Mrs. Schaeffer have certainly accomplished this goal, yet they continue 
to inspire us all by continuing to go above and beyond the expected.
  I would like to again extend my congratulations to Bonita and Kevin 
for their 20th anniversary of service and extend my thanks for the 
contribution they are making to their community. I wish them all the 
very best in the years to come.

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