[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 147 (Thursday, November 14, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2016]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO ELBERTA ERIKSSON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 13, 2002

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, we rise today to recognize Elberta 
Eriksson, who is retiring as the Director of the Family Service Agency 
of Marin's Multi-cultural Outreach Program after thirty years of 
dedicated service to her community.
  Through the years, Elberta has been committed to community service, 
dedicated to strengthening families and children and advancing human 
rights. In the early 1970's, as a professional social worker, Ms. 
Eriksson was one of the first to bring mental health services to Marin 
City. Through Operation Give a Damn, a grassroots organization that 
brought a unique mentoring program to the youth of Marin City, Elberta 
developed a cultural competency program for professional and para-
professional mental health providers.
  Under Ms. Eriksson's visionary leadership, the Multi-Cultural 
Outreach Program, sponsored by the Family Service Agency of Marin, was 
launched. Through this esteemed program, Elberta personally provided 
hundreds of hours of family counseling as well as supervised graduate 
students from San Francisco State University during their internship, 
adding a rich, multi-cultural counseling program for the entire county.
  In addition to working full-time and raising her young family, 
Elberta made time in the evening to work as one of the first hot line 
volunteers at the Marin Suicide Prevention Center. Always generous with 
her skills and time, Ms. Eriksson has served on many boards and 
committees, including the Marin County Human Rights Commission, the 
Marin County Women's Commission, ISOJI of Marin City, America's Angel 
Campaign, and the Marin City Community Services District.
  Ms. Eriksson has contributed her leadership and commitment to provide 
a model of the importance of community service with the highest ideals 
for the benefit of many. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, it is fitting for us 
to rise today to honor Elberta Eriksson and wish her well in her next 
adventure.

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