[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 74 (Thursday, May 14, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1159]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      IN RECOGNITION OF DONNA YEE

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                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 14, 2009

  Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, I rise today in tribute to Dr. Donna L. 
Yee for her ongoing efforts to improve and strengthen services to older 
persons in the Sacramento region. As Donna's colleagues, friends and 
family gather to honor her work, I ask all my colleagues in the House 
of Representatives to join me in recognizing this outstanding 
individual.
  For over thirty-five years, Donna has been helping those in need of 
long term care. Since making Sacramento her home for the last decade, 
she has diligently worked and provided leadership to assure that social 
services are available, accessible, and acceptable to all elders.
  Donna received her Master of Social Work from the University of 
Washington and her Ph.D. in Social Policy at the Heller School, 
Brandeis University. Prior to moving to Sacramento, she had most 
recently worked for the National Pacific Asian Center on Aging in 
Seattle and for the Institute for Health Policy at Brandeis University.
  Since 2000, Donna has served as Chief Executive Officer of the Asian 
Community Center in Sacramento, which is one of the largest and most 
successful nonprofit organizations in my district. By identifying, 
developing, and providing culturally sensitive health and social 
services for older adults, the Asian Community Center enhances the 
general welfare and quality of life for a wide group of Sacramentans.
  Donna has brought national recognition to the many programs that the 
Asian Community Center operates. The Center's Rides Transportation 
Program, which gives rides to seniors who can not drive themselves, won 
the Senior Transportation Action Response Special Recognition Award 
from the Beverly Foundation in October, 2008. In addition, the Asian 
Community Center's Nursing Home has earned the highest rating of five 
stars from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Agency.
  Throughout her career, Donna has focused on capacity building, 
Medicare access, client-centered care, adult day care, assisted living, 
case management, hospital services for the aged, and has consistently 
provided support for the elderly and Asian Pacific Communities. In 
doing so, Donna has made her mark as one of Sacramento finest leaders.
  Madam Speaker, I am honored to recognize Dr. Donna L. Yee for her 
lifetime of efforts to promote the quality and access of services for 
our senior citizens. She has done a tremendous job at the Asian 
Community Center and on behalf of the people of Sacramento and the 
Fifth Congressional District of California, I ask all my colleagues to 
join me in acknowledging her work.

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