[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 125 (Friday, September 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1936]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO ELIZABETH GHELETA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 29, 2006

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Elizabeth Gheleta who 
is retiring after more than three decades of service as Executive 
Director of the Service League of San Mateo County, California.
  Elizabeth Gheleta joined the Service League of San Mateo County in 
1968, and in the ensuing 38 years she has worked tirelessly to improve 
the correctional system and provide opportunities for the incarcerated 
to create change in their lives. She became Executive Director in 1978, 
when funding cuts under California's Proposition 13 threatened to close 
the Service League's doors. Under her leadership, the Service League 
has grown into a highly respected non-profit organization with strong 
community ties, 25 permanent staff and over 500 dedicated volunteers. 
They provide a myriad of services that have helped rebuild the lives of 
thousands of County inmates, their children and their families.
  Elizabeth Gheleta has been responsible for the development and 
expansion of in-jail programs to help inmates learn how to function 
better once they are released, increasing their chances of successful 
reentry into the community. In addition to religious services, she has 
helped initiate hundreds of educational and self-improvement programs 
which focus on transition, substance abuse recovery, personal 
responsibility, permanent housing and family life skills. Today, 
Service League employees and volunteers provide more than 800 such 
programs every year. Under Ms. Gheleta's leadership, the Service League 
has also developed four residential facilities for former inmates and 
launched programs to assist the children and families of inmates, 
especially during the holidays. Ms. Gheleta's vision of improved inmate 
services has resulted in highly effective programs that are the gold 
standard for correctional systems nationwide.
  Elizabeth Gheleta has earned the highest respect of her colleagues, 
her community, and every individual and family to whom she has devoted 
her career. Because of her leadership, tenacity, creativity and belief 
in others, thousands of former inmates and their families have 
reintegrated into society and have become responsible and productive 
members of our community.
  Mr. Speaker, it is a special privilege for me to honor my friend 
Elizabeth Gheleta, her extraordinary career and her extraordinary 
achievements. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring her because 
she has bettered the soul of our community as well as our Nation.

                          ____________________