[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 72 (Thursday, June 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1073]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES FOR INDEPENDENCE

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                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 8, 2006

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute 
to Community Resources for Independence (CRI) as this organization 
celebrates 30 years of assisting people with disabilities in Napa, 
Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino Counties.
  CRI was founded as a non-profit organization in 1976 to advance the 
rights of people with disabilities to equal justice, access, 
opportunity and participation. From its humble beginnings with a single 
office in one county, it has grown to an organization with three 
offices serving more than 2,500 people in four counties with an annual 
operating budget of $1.5 million.
  CRI has enriched the lives of its clients by working with 
individuals, cities and counties to improve access for persons with 
disabilities in their work, study, play, housing and worship and 
received national recognition for its work in 2000.
  The organization's Transition Project assists people with 
disabilities in moving from institutional to independent living. It is 
the only program successfully serving homeless disabled individuals in 
Sonoma County.
  The Deaf Services Program provides advocacy, communication 
assistance, community education, independent living skills, peer 
counseling and accessibility equipment resources.
  The Disability Law Clinic has been instrumental in raising disability 
awareness in the community by working with employers to support 
reasonable accommodations in the workplace and by protecting the rights 
of its clients to be participating members in the community.
  2006 is also a milestone year as it marked the inauguration of CRI's 
first wheelchair basketball team, The Redwood Rollers. Naturally they 
won their first game.
  In work and in play, Community Resources for Independence has become 
an invaluable organization in my Congressional District and it is 
therefore appropriate that we acknowledge and honor them as they 
celebrate 30 years of service.

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