[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 131 (Tuesday, September 23, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1857]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING THE CAREER AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF GARY T. PUMA

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                           HON. RUSH D. HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 23, 2003

  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the career of Gary 
T. Puma, the president and chief executive officer of Presbyterian 
Homes and Services of Princeton for his more than twenty-five years of 
service to New Jersey's senior citizens and their families.
  Mr. Puma's dedication to meeting the needs of the elderly began when 
he was an undergraduate at John Fisher College, where he was active in 
creating a gerontology department. His dream of helping the elderly led 
him to service on the N.J. State Department of Health and Senior 
Service--Assisted Living Task Force and the N.J. Housing Mortgage and 
Finance Authority--Assisted Living Financing Task Force. His expertise 
has also resulted in testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives 
and in assisting with the drafting of affordable housing regulations 
for New Jersey.
  Mr. Puma's own Italian immigrant grandparents were his inspiration. 
Knowing how hard they worked to create a good life for his family here 
in America gave him a life-long determination to help other older 
people at a time when they were in need and deserved first-rate housing 
and care. Because of his grandparents, Mr. Puma has worked tirelessly 
to bring to life his vision of an organization with a wide spectrum of 
care and housing options to assist as many seniors as possible. Mr. 
Puma has refused to accept anything less than excellence in every 
aspect of the Presbyterian Homes and Services. Under his guidance, 
Presbyterian Homes and Services received the 1996 New Jersey Governor's 
Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing.
  Wanting to help seniors age in place at home, Mr. Puma conceived of 
and championed the State's first subsidized assisted living program for 
seniors who lived in affordable housing. This innovative program has 
served as a model for other communities in New Jersey and throughout 
the country, and it has been recognized by AARP and the Assisted Living 
Federation of America.
  As an inspiration to individuals in New Jersey and throughout the 
country, Gary T. Puma has contributed significantly to the quality of 
life of thousands of senior citizens regardless of their income or 
denomination. He has earned our heartfelt appreciation for his efforts. 
Please join me in congratulating him for his many years of service.

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