[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 136 (Thursday, September 24, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2359]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE VOLUNTEER WORK OF EMMA VALENTEEN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM GERLACH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 24, 2009

  Mr. GERLACH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a Phoenixville, 
Pennsylvania woman who has dedicated her life to making a difference in 
her community and lending a helping hand to neighbors in need.
  Emma Valenteen moved to Phoenixville as a teenager in 1948 and has 
called the Borough home ever since. Her tremendous work ethic allowed 
her to juggle the demands of raising five children while working for 44 
years at Container Corp. of America. Somehow, Emma still found plenty 
of energy to work even harder in her community. After losing her 
youngest daughter, Marianne, to leukemia, Emma joined the Valley Forge 
Chapter of the support group Compassionate Friends. By 1991, she 
started a Phoenixville chapter and has spent 18 years as chairwoman of 
the group.
  For more than a quarter century, Emma has been the Recording 
Secretary of the Social Concerns Committee of the Phoenixville 
Interfaith Council. Her commitment to the community and dedicated 
volunteerism earned Emma numerous awards through the years. However, it 
has been the organizations and the entire community who have been the 
true winners thanks to Emma's extraordinary efforts.
  Friends, family and community members will express their gratitude 
for Emma's service and recognize all of her accomplishments during a 
dinner on September 30, 2009 at Robert Ryan's Columbia Station.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in honoring 
Emma Valenteen for her selfless service and tireless work to make 
Phoenixville a great place to live, work and raise a family.

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