[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 119 (Thursday, September 19, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1618]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING JOYCE KELLER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE JEWISH ASSOCIATION FOR 
                            RESIDENTIAL CARE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOE KNOLLENBERG

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 19, 2002

  Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute Joyce Keller, 
Executive Director of the Jewish Association for Residential Care 
located in Farmington Hills, Michigan in my Congressional District. She 
recently received the 2002 Spirit of Service Honor Award from the 
Michigan Assisted Living Association for her outstanding dedication and 
commitment to community-based services.
  When Joyce Keller became executive director of JARC at age 26, the 
organization had one home, three employees, and served seven 
individuals with developmental disabilities. Their annual budget was 
$40,000. Today, JARC is an $8 million agency that serves over 150 
adults in a variety of residential settings, provides support services 
to over 300 families with a disabled child or family member still 
living at home, and employs over 200 staff members. In her 25th year as 
executive director, Ms. Keller continues to oversee and ensure the 
highest quality of service, as well as the raising of nearly $2 million 
annually in private contributions and a $13 million endowment fund.
  Ms. Keller has assumed extensive and substantial leadership roles, 
serving on the President's Committee on Mental Retardation and the 
Governor's Community Health Advisory Council in Michigan. In addition 
to her recent award from the Michigan Assisted Living Association, Ms. 
Keller has been honored with several distinguished awards over the 
course of her career, including being named Michiganian of the Year by 
the Detroit News.
  Mr. Speaker, with Joyce's tenacity, dynamism and creativity, JARC has 
become one of the largest and well-respected organizations for 
residential care in the country. She is passionate about honoring the 
dignity of the people JARC serves and enabling them to live rich and 
purposeful lives. Joyce Keller is a relentless advocate for the right 
of every individual to be valued and respected in our society and I 
congratulate her on the occasion of receiving the 2002 Spirit of 
Service Honor Award. She is truly a worthy recipient.

                          ____________________