[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 47 (Tuesday, April 19, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E694]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      KEN-CREST CENTERS CENTENNIAL

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ALLYSON Y. SCHWARTZ

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 19, 2005

  Ms. SCHWARTZ of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, 2005 marks Ken-Crest 
Centers' centennial celebration. For the past 100 years, this faith-
based, non-profit organization, which was started by the Lutheran 
Church in Plymouth Meeting, PA, has been dedicated to the concept of 
bringing ability to life.
  Throughout its history, Ken-Crest has pioneered services for the most 
vulnerable, including the terminally-ill, the abandoned, and the 
disabled. Ken-Crest began its work in 1905, leading the fight against 
tuberculosis in the Kensington section of Philadelphia by providing the 
children of infected families with a safe refuge.
  As a former social worker, I am inspired by the story of Sister Maria 
Roeck, a Lutheran Church deaconess and German immigrant, who founded 
Ken-Crest, originally called the Kensington Dispensary. Sister Roeck 
was called to action by the loss of loved ones to tuberculosis. She 
passionately battled the so-called ``white plague'' that decimated her 
beloved Kensington; abiding by the motto ``to cure sometimes, to 
relieve often, to comfort always.''
  In the 1950s, as tuberculosis became better contained, Ken-Crest took 
on a new mission--providing for the mentally retarded and those with 
developmental disabilities. Its success has made it the largest 
community-based provider of assistance to people with disabilities in 
the Philadelphia region, serving more than 6,400 people at 350 
locations.
  Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in congratulating Ken-Crest 
on more than 100 years of outstanding service. I know their good work 
and mission will continue for many years to come.

                          ____________________