[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 155 (Monday, October 15, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2128-E2129]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING NANCY GARDNER, OF SONOMA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 15, 2007

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of 
Nancy Gardner, who is leaving the North Bay Regional Center after 15 
years as that group's executive director. She is moving on to serve as 
CEO of Guide Dogs for the Blind, but she leaves behind an organization 
that she has developed into an incredible resource for people with 
developmental disabilities, families, and our community.
  Ms. Gardner was born in Kansas, and graduated from the University of 
Nebraska in 1974 with a bachelor's degree in psychology. She received a 
master's degree in special education and human development from the 
University of Kansas in 1976 before moving to California and working 
for with NBRC from

[[Page E2129]]

1980-1982. During this time she also taught courses on developmental 
issues and adult education at local community colleges. From 1983 to 
1992, she helped coordinate several different efforts to provide 
services at the county and State level to adults and children in need 
of a helping hand. She also served the State Assembly as an analyst on 
legislation relating to social and developmental services, mental 
health and rehabilitation.
  In 1992, Ms. Gardner joined NBRC as executive director, taking 
responsibility for leadership and management of this $105 million 
organization. NBRC serves a population of over 6,000 people with 
developmental disabilities around the North Bay region of Sonoma, Napa, 
and Solano counties. Based on a belief that people with developmental 
disabilities should have access to the same opportunities available to 
other citizens, NBRC offers a wide variety of services tailored to the 
individual. These services include diagnostic functions, individual 
planning, family support, advocacy and transition services, as well as 
an excellent array of community education and program development 
opportunities. The work Ms. Gardner has led at NBRC has been of immense 
value to thousands of individuals and families throughout the North Bay 
to help them rise above disability.
  Ms. Gardner has served on too many boards and commissions to 
enumerate them all. Her work with non-profits and commissions 
throughout California has made her a truly valued member of our 
community and an acknowledged leader in her field. In addition to her 
work on disabilities, she remains dedicated to her husband, five 
children, five grandchildren, and two dogs.
  Madam Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we thank Nancy 
Gardner for 15 years of hard work guiding the North Bay Regional 
Center. Her determined leadership has bettered the lives of thousands 
of individuals throughout the region. Her work is not done, however, 
and she is moving on to fuse her love of dogs with her deep passion for 
aiding people with disabilities.

                          ____________________