[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 152 (Wednesday, September 24, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1891]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1891]]
          HONORING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF LIFETRACK RESOURCES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 23, 2008

  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Lifetrack 
Resources in Saint Paul, Minnesota, on its 60th anniversary. During the 
past six decades, Lifetrack Resources has grown from a small charity 
into one of the largest community-based nonprofits serving families and 
individuals throughout the Twin Cities region.
  Lifetrack Resources was originally founded on September 1, 1948, as 
the St. Paul Rehabilitation Center to meet the needs of injured 
veterans returning from World War II and the polio epidemic. In a true 
collaboration, the Amherst H. Wilder Charity, the Junior League of St. 
Paul, the MN Society for Crippled Children and Adults, and the board of 
directors of Family Nursing Service of St. Paul came together to meet 
the needs of the community. These partnerships have continued through 
the years, and young children with disabilities received preschool 
education and both children and adults were provided physical, 
occupational, and speech therapy services at Lifetrack Resources. Over 
the years, Lifetrack developed model rehabilitation therapies and 
employment programs that were expanded through mergers with the Jewish 
Vocation Service to establish a comprehensive rehabilitation center and 
the St. Paul Hearing and Speech Center to provide audiology services 
for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. In 2000, St. Paul 
Rehabilitation Center was renamed Lifetrack Resources to embody the 
organization's extensive service to the greater Twin Cities area.
  Today, Lifetrack Resources provides effective employment services and 
therapies to a wide-range of adults and children who encounter multiple 
obstacles to achievement--including those facing some of the most 
difficult challenges--immigrants and refugees, people with mental 
illness, individuals with criminal records, and our homeless 
population. Partnering with community organizations, Lifetrack 
Resources helps over 11,000 people each year to make positive changes 
in their lives by providing the skills and support they need, resulting 
in increased employment and economic opportunities and empowered 
healthy families. I have seen first hand how the success stories that 
Lifetrack Resources fosters continue to not only save government funds 
and improve our economy, but also strengthen our community's health and 
well-being.
  Madam Speaker, in honor of Lifetrack Resources' committed donors, 
staff, volunteers, community partners, and clients, I am pleased to 
submit this statement for the Congressional Record recognizing the 60th 
anniversary of Lifetrack Resources.

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