[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 60 (Saturday, April 12, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E776]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING LUNA ODLAND

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DUNCAN HUNTER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 11, 2003

  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Luna Odland, a 
volunteer who will be receiving the President's Award of the 
Alzheimer's Association for her work and tireless effort on behalf of 
those suffering from Alzheimer's disease. The non-profit Alzheimer's 
Association currently has 81 local chapters throughout the Nation. For 
the past 25 years as a volunteer of the San Diego Chapter of the 
Alzheimer's Association, Luna Odland has been leading a support group 
for caregivers and professionals dealing with the challenges of 
Alzheimer's disease. She has served as a volunteer for the Alzheimer's 
Association longer than anyone else in the Nation, and her group in 
Escondido, CA, is the Nation's longest running Alzheimer's support 
group.
  Luna began her group unofficially in August of 1978 from her home 
before the San Diego Chapter was incorporated. She went on to become 
one of the founding members of the Chapter, serving on its Board of 
Directors from 1980 until 1990, and chairing the Patient and Family 
Services Committee.
  Little was known about Alzheimer's disease back in the late 1970's, 
and Luna 's group quickly began drawing large numbers of people from as 
far away as Santa Barbara, CA. When her group moved to the Joslyn 
Senior Center in 1980, where it still meets today, the second meeting 
was so large it had to be relocated to the auditorium.
  Luna does not limit her involvement with caregivers to simply 
facilitating her group every month. She phones group members in between 
meetings to inquire how they are doing or remind them of the next 
meeting. She also assists them in locating resources and contacting the 
Association to help with whatever current issues that need attention.
  Luna was also instrumental in the development of the ``Morning Out 
Club'', which was the first early-stage daycare program in the country 
for Alzheimer's patients. The ``Morning Out Club'' model is still in 
operation today and has been replicated in many sites.
  Mr. Speaker, people who take the time to care for others in need are 
the best example of being an American. It is the dedication and 
selfless efforts of people like Luna Odland that make our country great 
and I ask that you join me in congratulating her for receiving this 
award, an honor which is well deserved.

                          ____________________