[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 129 (Thursday, October 6, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2039-E2040]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO STARR COMMONWEALTH ON THE OCCASION OF ITS EXPANDED 
                       MONTCALM SCHOOL FOR GIRLS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. PAUL E. GILLMOR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 6, 2005

  Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to pay tribute to a 
special organization in Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. This 
October, the Montcalm School for Girls at Starr Commonwealth's Van Wert 
campus celebrates its first anniversary celebration.
  Mr. Speaker, Starr Commonwealth has been nationally recognized for 
serving thousands of children, families and professionals throughout 
America. For nearly a century, the dedicated staff of Starr 
Commonwealth has committed themselves to diffusing violence, healing 
racism and developing positive environments in the children which they 
serve. With five locations in Michigan and Ohio, Starr Commonwealth 
operates dozens of programs for troubled youth and their families. By 
instilling the core values of integrity, excellence, compassion and 
faith, Starr Commonwealth has been effective at redirecting misdirected 
children across our nation.

[[Page E2040]]

  In 1951, Floyd Starr expanded Starr Commonwealth to a campus outside 
of Van Wert in Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. Staff members at 
the Van Wert campus help boys with social, emotional and behavioral 
problems as they attempt to turn their lives around. In addition, the 
school is celebrating its one-year anniversary of operating the 
Montcalm School for Girls. The Montcalm School provides residential 
treatment for young women who have experienced abuse, depression, 
behavioral or academic problems.
  The services provided by Starr Commonwealth and the Montcalm School 
are good for our children and good for our society. Students who attend 
the Montcalm School have fallen off the path in life and need our 
assistance to become productive members of society once again. These 
students have engaged in activities which warrant our attention but 
they also possess a passion to be rehabilitated. By attending the 
Montcalm School, students are provided with a therapeutic environment 
to allow them to grow as individuals and avoid a life of delinquency. 
The school boasts a 95 percent success rate and has given back to our 
society those who had before been forgotten.
  Mr. Speaker, it is not everyday that we can recognize programs which 
provide such an important service to our community as Starr 
Commonwealth. In Van Wert, citizens of the Fifth District have 
committed to protecting and rehabilitating our children through the 
Montcalm School. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying 
special tribute to Starr Commonwealth for its commitment to a better 
America. As all who benefit from Starr Commonwealth gather to celebrate 
the one-year anniversary of the Montcalm School, I am confident that 
the services provided in Van Wert will continue to better our society 
into the future.

                          ____________________