[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 121 (Monday, September 25, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1817]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING NATIONAL ASSISTED LIVING WEEK AND THE EMPLOYEES AND 
                      RESIDENTS OF PICKERING MANOR

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                      HON. MICHAEL G. FITZPATRICK

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 25, 2006

  Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
recognize National Assisted Living Week as a time to honor the doctors, 
employees and the residents they serve in assisted living facilities 
across the county. This year's theme of ``Hearts In Harmony,'' properly 
expresses the shared desire of everyone in the assisted living 
community to deliver care in a respectful and loving manner to the 
residents and the families they serve.
  Today, I want to take a moment to honor the great work that the 
nurses and staff of Pickering Manor, an independent living facility in 
Newtown, PA, do every day to honor this theme and enhance the lives of 
senior citizens throughout my district.
  Pickering Manor was opened in 1963 through the great generosity of H. 
Russell Pickering, who bequeathed his residence fortune for the 
creation of a facility to serve the older citizens of Newtown, PA, and 
its surrounding communities. This unique non-profit facility is located 
in historic Newtown in beautiful Bucks County, PA, and is owned and 
operated by the Community Welfare Council of Newtown. Even after 
extensive growth, Pickering Manor continues to be funded solely by its 
residents and contributions from individuals, businesses and 
organizations throughout the community.
  It is easy to see that Pickering Manor takes great pride in its 
ability to provide a comfortable and friendly atmosphere throughout its 
full spectrum of services, which ranges from independent living to 
highly skilled nursing. The facility provides its residents with a 
variety of independent living choices. Pickering Manor offers 24 
apartments and 10 landscaped cottages for its residents to choose from. 
This variety, combined with its well manicured grounds and a multitude 
of activities ensures that Pickering Manor's residents have a beautiful 
place to live and interact with friends and family.
  The generosity of H. Russell Pickering in bequeathing his home and 
his treasure to create a place where his neighbors could call home is a 
testament to the American character and our ideals of compassion and 
civic involvement. His legacy lives on at Pickering Manor.
  The idea that we may need long-term or personal care as we get older 
is not something many of us think about on a day-to-day basis. However, 
it is something we must all plan for as we grow older. It is good to 
know that there are places like Pickering Manor and the people who 
staff it that embody the idea of this year's theme and the ideals 
behind National Assisted Living Week.

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