[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 14 (Wednesday, February 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E87]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            IN RECOGNITION OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF MERCI

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 8, 2006

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Merci on its 50th 
anniversary. Dedicated to serving the developmentally disabled members 
of our community, Merci has helped countless people make significant 
strides toward reaching their goals and achieving fulfilling lives.
  Merci has its roots working with developmentally disabled children. 
In 1955, the Monterey Park Exchange Club determined that there was a 
need for a school dedicated to developmentally disabled children, and 
Merci was formed. Merci was incorporated as a nonprofit in 1959, and 
the early years were devoted to working primarily with children. In 
1967, Merci was authorized by the Regional Centers of California to 
serve all people diagnosed with developmental disabilities. As the 
educational landscape changed over time, it became one of Merci's 
central aims to prepare developmentally disabled children for 
enrollment in public school special education classes; to this end, 
Merci added a program geared especially toward preschoolers. Merci 
continued to grow and thrive, and the organization expanded to include 
a Work Activity Center for adolescents and young adults. After a series 
of laws regarding handicapped children and public education passed in 
the 1970s, Merci's focus in 1976 shifted to working with its older 
clients. To this day Merci continues to provide unsurpassed service to 
its clients.
  In keeping with its outstanding tradition of helping others, in the 
past few years Merci started two new programs that allow the 
organization to serve an even greater number of clients. As a part of 
one of the programs, Merci staff travel to the homes of clients with 
special medical needs and work with them on an individual basis. Merci 
has also opened its first group home, Ernie's Place, which offers 24-
hour supervised care for its clients.
  The Merci staff's commitment and dedication to serving the 
developmentally disabled members of our community is to be commended. 
Without Merci, many people would not be living the quality lives that 
they are living today.
  I am proud to congratulate Merci on the occasion of its 50th 
anniversary. I ask all Members of Congress to join me in honoring Merci 
and the Merci staff for their dedication to making our community a 
better place in which to live.

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