[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 61 (Wednesday, May 17, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S4693]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN CELEBRATION OF THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MARY CAMPBELL CENTER

 Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, I rise today to celebrate the 30th 
anniversary of the Mary Campbell Center in serving people with 
disabilities in Delaware. Since opening in 1976, the Mary Campbell 
Center has touched the lives of literally thousands of people.
  The center is located in Wilmington, DE, on 10 beautiful acres of 
land. The grounds were originally a farm owned by Amos and Mary Talley 
Campbell, whose daughter Evelyn had Down's syndrome. After his wife 
died, Amos Campbell donated their land so that a special long-term-care 
facility for Evelyn and other people with disabilities could be built. 
And that is how it came to be called the Mary Campbell Center.
  The center was founded by a group of loving individuals--Marjorie M. 
Anderson, Richard P. DiSabatino, Sr., Barbara Z. Holmes, David W. 
Holmes, William H. Kelley, Joseph J. Picciotti, Jr., Marcia V. Raniere, 
Charles E. Welch, and Charma L. Welch. Each of these founders and their 
families has given unselfishly to make the Mary Campbell Center the 
success that it is today.
  Since 1976, there have been many Mary Campbell Center milestones. The 
center has grown from having a handful of residents to 65 residents. 
They benefit from around-the-clock health care, case management, 
counseling, education, assistive technology, recreation, physician 
services, physical therapy, occupational therapy, massage therapy, 
speech and language therapy, hydrotherapy, exercise, nutritional 
services, and transportation. Local families have come to depend on the 
Mary Campbell Center for respite care. Residents and members of the 
community are also benefiting from the center's unique educational 
program. Furthermore, over 200 children and youths with special needs 
and their siblings participate in various programs and summer camp 
experiences. And the most recent venture, the day program, is expanding 
to serve even more families.
  Physically, the Mary Campbell Center has gone from a compact building 
to a comfortable state-of-the-art and fully accessible facility with an 
indoor swimming pool, a learning center with the latest technologies, a 
greenhouse, and an adaptive playground. There is even an accessible 
nature trail that is an especially popular retreat during spring and 
summer. Today, more than ever, assistive technology is helping so many 
reach new goals and communicate with family and friends all over the 
world. Community involvement is at an alltime high. Over 300 volunteers 
give their time and talent to make a difference there. As the Mary 
Campbell Center enters its third decade, it continues to grow. Another 
expansion to the building is about to get underway. The center is 
doubling the size of their community room, the All-Star Room, and 
constructing a basement. This will provide additional usable space.
  I had the privilege of visiting the Mary Campbell Center earlier this 
year. I was able to see first hand the difference the center makes in 
people's lives. I rise today to thank the Mary Campbell Center 
community for all that they do in Delaware, and I wish them a very 
happy 30th anniversary.

                          ____________________