[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 61 (Wednesday, May 17, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E859]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      TRIBUTE TO THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF WHALEY CHILDREN'S CENTER

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                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 17, 2006

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, today I ask the House of Representatives to 
join me in congratulating the Whaley Children's Center as it celebrates 
80 years helping children in my hometown of Flint, Michigan. Whaley 
Chlldren's Center will hold an open house on May 18 to showcase their 
services and commemorate their anniversary.
  Robert J. Whaley, then President of Citizens Bank, decided to 
organize a home for neglected, forgotten children during the 1880s. He 
made his decision to honor the memory of his deceased I son, Donald M. 
Whaley. At the time of his death at the age of eleven, Donald was 
saving money to send to an orphanage in the Detroit area. His father 
conceived of the idea to create a home for less fortunate children and 
bequeathed in his will the funds to build the Donald M. Whaley Home. On 
January 26, 1924 the Whaley Foundation was organized under the 
trusteeship of the wardens and vestry of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. 
After consulting with the Child Welfare League, the Memorial Home was 
built in 1926.
  The Memorial Home has metamorphosed into the Whaley Children's 
Center, dedicated to helping troubled children achieve self-sufficiency 
at the same time meeting their everyday needs. Using the four pillars 
of the ``Circle of Courage'' model: Independence, Generosity, Mastery, 
and Belonging; Whaley Children's Center strives to serve the whole 
child. At the present time the Whaley Children's Center can serve 51 
children through their 18th birthday and high school graduation. They 
have a separate unit, the McDonald Cottage, for children ages 6 through 
10.
  Mr. Speaker, I applaud the outstanding efforts of the community, 
volunteers, board and staff of the Whaley Children's Center. Their 
steadfast devotion to the children they serve is to be commended. I am 
glad that I have had this opportunity to recognize their hard work and 
their exceptional achievements helping our troubled youth attain a 
better future.

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