[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 170 (Tuesday, November 17, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2785]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING PAM HEAVENS FOR HER TWENTY YEARS OF SERVICE AS EXECUTIVE 
       DIRECTOR OF THE WILL-GRUNDY CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING

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                       HON. DEBORAH L. HALVORSON

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 17, 2009

  Mrs. HALVORSON. Madam Speaker, this fall Pam Heavens celebrates her 
twentieth year as Executive Director of the Will-Grundy Center for 
Independent Living. On behalf of the 11th Congressional District of 
Illinois, I would like to commend Pam for her years of selfless service 
on behalf of disabled Illinoisans.
  As Executive Director, Pam has fought on behalf of thousands of 
disabled Will and Grundy County residents. The Center serves disabled 
citizens young and old, including our brave veterans. By offering 
services ranging from the Low Vision Loan Center to the Home Ownership 
Program, the Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living helps people 
with disabilities achieve their goals.
  Pam has successfully led the Center through challenging times. The 
Center has increased services in the midst of a financial climate that 
has forced many organizations to cut services as they lose important 
funding sources.
  Aside from her duties running the Center, Pam has worked with non-
profits and governmental agencies at the local and state level to 
improve the lives of disabled persons. For example, through the 
Accessible Cities Alliance, Pam worked to ensure disabled consumers had 
access to local businesses through such efforts as the creation of 
accessible indoor walkways and the construction of wheelchair ramps.
  Pam knows firsthand the importance of fighting for disability rights 
because she lives with cerebral palsy. Despite this challenge, Pam 
routinely works a sixty-hour work week on behalf of disabled 
individuals. Pam's dedication and perseverance should serve as an 
inspiration to all of us.

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