[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 87 (Monday, June 27, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1368]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE OUTSTANDING WORK OF DIANA JORGENSON UPON HER RETIREMENT

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                           HON. GEORGE MILLER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 27, 2005

  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute 
to Ms. Diana Jorgenson, a friend, constant supporter and advocate for 
the Contra Costa community, as she retires. Diana has a long history 
dedicated to improving the lives of families in my district and we are 
all beneficiaries of her service.
  Diana's long career in mental health and disability services began 
after she received her Masters of Social Work from the University of 
California at Berkeley in 1968. From there, she went on to work in the 
Mental Health Agency in San Francisco and was liaison to Sonoma 
Development Center. She continued her work at the agency until 1971, 
when she moved to the Golden Gate Regional Center.
  From 1973-1975 while her husband was in graduate school, Diana put 
her skills to work at the Family Service Agency in Honolulu, Hawaii, 
later returning to the Golden Gate Regional Center and serving as head 
of the Concord Office. It was in this role she played a major part in 
establishing the Regional Center of the East Bay, sharing the dream of 
integrating persons with developmental disabilities into the community.
  By 1978, Diana had taken on the role of Manager and Acting Director 
of Client Services. From there she moved to the San Francisco School 
and facilitated services for the Visually Handicapped Program. Diana 
also provided services for the County Office of Education in both the 
Special Education Division and George Miller Center West.
  The Developmental Disability Council welcomed her as a member in 1982 
and for five years Diana worked simultaneously for Richmond Unified 
School District's as a mental health specialist and in the DD Council.
  For the past ten years Diana has worked tirelessly as staff to the 
Development Disability Council of Contra Costa as well as the Director 
of the Medically Vulnerable Infant Program for Contra Costa County. Her 
role has been vital in the Home Visiting Strategy for First Five and 
the Consultation and Response Team for home visitors.
  Diana has served on the Board of the Infant Development Association 
for twenty-five years and was at one time the State Chair. For four 
years she also provided training on working with young children exposed 
to drugs.
  Mr. Speaker, Diana has made monumental contributions in the world of 
social work world and I am pleased to recognize her many 
accomplishments.
  Today, I am proud to commend her for her service to the community, 
her dedication to those in need and her commitment to the people of 
Contra Costa County. In recognizing Diana's great contributions, I 
would also like to wish her a happy and healthy retirement.

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