[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 157 (Monday, September 29, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2158]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING MARIAN LONNING

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. KENNY C. HULSHOF

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 29, 2008

  Mr. HULSHOF. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Marian Lonning, a 
special woman who has devoted her time, talents, and life to 
individuals with developmental disabilities. Mrs. Lonning, a proud 
parent, grandparent, and great-grandparent, will soon be recognized by 
Community Living for her tireless efforts to improve services for 
people with disabilities. I want to associate myself with the 
recognition provided by Community Living.
  Community Living, a not-for-profit agency in St. Charles County 
providing life-enriching services for people with disabilities, will 
present the award to Mrs. Lonning on October 18, 2008, at the 
organization's annual Legacy Ball. The Legacy Award is presented to an 
individual whose outstanding service to people with disabilities and 
the community as a whole leaves a lasting legacy for generations to 
come.
  Before coming to Missouri, Mrs. Lonning worked with people with 
developmental disabilities as a nurse and teacher. She and her husband, 
James, moved to St. Charles County in July 1968 from Kalamazoo, MI, and 
we are lucky to have her.
  In February 1969, Mrs. Lonning opened a Day Activity Center for 
children with developmental disabilities in the basement of Boonslick 
Christian Church in St. Charles. She had been approached by Jane Crider 
about starting a day program for children with severe developmental 
disabilities who were unable to pass the test for Boonslick State 
School. With the help of an assistant, Mrs. Lonning ran the center 3 
days per week, serving 8 to 10 children.
  In 1974, the Day Activity Center transitioned to providing services 
for adults after Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 passed 
and children at the center were able to go to school. Additionally, 
Mrs. Lonning started the Day Activity Center Auxiliary, a support group 
for the parents of the center's participants, which still exists today.
  Mrs. Lonning served on the Senate Bill 40 Committee to help approve a 
countrywide property tax to provide and fund services for people with 
development disabilities. In 1977, the committee's efforts proved 
successful when the tax passed. Because of the Senate Bill 40's 
passage, the Day Activity Center was able to expand and was later taken 
under the wings of Community Living, Inc., when it was incorporated in 
1978.
  The center eventually began providing service 5 days per week and 
hired more staff, including special education teachers. In 1980, a 
second center was opened in O'Fallon.
  Mrs. Lonning served as Director of the Day Activity Centers, now 
known as Support Services for Adults (SSA), until her retirement in 
1989.
  In her retirement, Mrs. Lonning has remained active in championing 
those with disabilities, serving for 3 years on the Handicapped 
Facilities Board, now the Developmental Disabilities Resource Board, 
the entity that was created as a result of the Senate Bill 40 tax. She 
also served for three terms on Community Living's Board of Directors, 
serving as president, vice president, secretary, and as an executive 
committee member.
  Today I want to shine a spotlight on not only Mrs. Lonning's great 
and many achievements, but also on the vital role that we all play in 
ensuring that all children and particularly those with disabilities 
receive the best education possible.
  Mrs. Lonning believes firmly in providing quality services to people 
with disabilities throughout their lives, and today her vision has 
become a reality. Mrs. Lonning has said that she has always felt that 
God put her where he needed her to be. Furthermore, the motto from her 
alma mater, Pine Rest Nursing School, has guided her work throughout 
the years: ``It's only one life, it will soon be passed, only what's 
done for Christ will last.''
  For these reasons, I am privileged to stand before this body and 
congratulate Mrs. Lonning on her receipt of this prestigious award.

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