[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 64 (Thursday, May 1, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E840]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CONGRATULATIONS TO EMPLOYEES OF SERENITY HOUSE OF GARY, INDIANA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 1, 2003

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sincerity and enthusiasm 
that I congratulate the employees of Serenity House of Gary, Inc. as 
they celebrate 25 years of assisting those in the Gary, Indiana 
community as they recover from alcohol and drug addiction. These 
devoted individuals will commemorate their Silver Anniversary at a 
banquet to be held on April 26, 2003.
  Serenity House of Gary, Inc. is a transitional facility that nurtures 
residents as they recover from the mental, physical, and spiritual 
effects of alcohol and drug addiction, as well as providing employment 
counseling and referrals to ensure that the reintegration into the 
community is successful for both the patient and those in the 
surrounding area. The employees at Serenity House are committed to 
supporting addicts and their families through every step of the 
recovery process. By promoting each individual's talents and skills, 
these employees teach all those committed to recovering to develop 
meaningful, productive lives without the reliance upon narcotics and 
alcohol.
  Mr. Speaker, Serenity House opened in August 1980 to fulfill the need 
for a residential treatment facility in Lake County, Indiana. It 
provides a supportive environment for patients to recover from their 
addiction as they simultaneously learn important life skills, such as 
obtaining and maintaining both employment and housing in order to 
enrich the quality of their lives. The employees are trained to counsel 
and assist those who are recovering from dependency, and are therefore 
able to create a positive atmosphere in which the patients are prepared 
to enjoy the benefits of their success.
  The physical and emotional suffering caused by addiction affects not 
only the individual, but also hovers like a storm cloud over all those 
who have a vested interest in his or her well-being. Serenity House 
provides a safe haven for those who wish to recover from their 
dependency but are unable to do so on their own. It is within these 
walls that those who are looking for the opportunity to improve their 
lives can find solace.
  Mr. Speaker, at this time I ask that you and my other distinguished 
colleagues join me in congratulating the employees of Serenity House of 
Gary, Inc. for 25 years of service to the residents of Lake County, 
Indiana. Through their efforts, many in the Northwest Indiana community 
have had the opportunity to enhance their lives and recover from a 
debilitating illness. It is this compassion and commitment to their 
fellow man that makes Northwest Indiana a great community, and I am 
honored to represent these outstanding individuals in Congress.

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