[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 149 (Thursday, September 18, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1850]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING JACKSON COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TIMOTHY WALBERG

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 18, 2008

  Mr. WALBERG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Jackson County 
Community Foundation of Jackson, Michigan on the celebration of its 
sixtieth anniversary. For years it has served the Jackson community and 
worked to improve the quality of each of its citizens' lives.
  The Jackson County Community Foundation began in 1948 with the idea 
of assisting Jackson County residents in bettering their lives. In 
order to accomplish this goal the foundation is guided by several core 
beliefs including the realization that citizen involvement is essential 
for change, the idea that viable solutions are those which target the 
root cause of a problem, and the belief that diversity is key to 
community building efforts. The foundation focuses on using its own 
community's assets and strengths and strongly believes accountability 
is necessary to use community resources wisely. The foundation has a 
broad purpose which allows flexibility and enables it to serve needs 
quickly and efficiently.
  The foundation has a permanent endowment that invests donations with 
the purpose of growing the principal and returning the earnings back to 
the community. This permanent endowment builds enduring community 
assets and allows donors to invest in the future of their own 
community. Donors can designate the funds to be used for specific 
items, such as scholarships or charities. Moreover, donors can assign 
the funds to an area of interest such as youth programs or education. 
In 2007, contributions to the foundation totaled more than $2 million 
and its endowment was over $24 million.
  On September 6, 2008 a number of distinguished individuals gathered 
at the foundation Fall Gala to celebrate the Jackson County Community 
Foundation's success and its longtime contribution to the Jackson 
community. The theme of the evening was ``Looking Back--Moving 
Forward,'' and the foundation's long-standing influence on the 
community was celebrated. Several presentations were given as well as a 
short video to commemorate the past sixty years.
  Madam Speaker, today I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing 
Jackson County Community Foundation for its sixty years of service and 
leadership in Jackson County. The foundation excels at identifying and 
meeting the needs of its citizens and has made a lasting difference in 
Jackson County. May others know of my high regard for its esteemed 
service, as well as my best wishes for its future.