[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 25 (Thursday, February 25, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E246-E247]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN RECOGNITION OF THE FARMINGTON/FARMINGTON HILLS FOUNDATION FOR YOUTH 
            AND FAMILIES ON CELEBRATING ITS 15TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GARY C. PETERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 3, 2010

  Mr. PETERS. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Farmington/Farmington Hills 
Foundation for Youth and Families. As a Member of Congress, it is both 
my honor and privilege to recognize this important milestone and pay 
tribute to this outstanding organization.
  The Foundation was created in 1995 with the focus of assisting youth 
through supporting after-school programs. Over the Foundation's 15 
years it has awarded almost $500,000 to 37 different non-profit groups. 
The Foundation has since grown and expanded its focus to support a 
wide-range of community based programs which work to enrich the lives 
of Farmington and Farmington Hills residents. Each year the Foundation 
holds an annual gala to highlight the work of programs it has 
supported, as well as raise support and awareness for future projects. 
At its 2009 gala, the Foundation introduced its ``Bountiful Backpack'' 
program, which arose out of the need to ensure that the substantial 
number of children who are on free and reduced lunch in our schools 
continue to have those same healthy nutritional options outside of 
school.
  This year the Foundation honors George and Delores Riley, whose 
philanthropic work has left a profound positive impact on the 
communities and citizens of Farmington and Farmington Hills. After 
nearly 30 years of running a highly successful communications business, 
in 1998 George Riley sold his company and started the Riley Foundation. 
According to Mr. Riley, he started the foundation to ``really help 
children.'' Mr. Riley's vision and commitment continues today with the 
Rileys' children.
  The Riley Foundation's latest major project created a park in 
downtown Farmington which has been a haven for children and their 
families in the Farmington area. Beyond local projects, the Riley 
Foundation has done extraordinary work for the less fortunate world-
wide and has recently partnered with public television to develop a new 
broadcast center for the Metro-Detroit market.
  Madam Speaker, I am honored today to recognize the Farmington/
Farmington Hills Foundation for Youth and Families on the occasion of 
its 15th anniversary and wish them many more years of continued success 
in creating a stronger Farmington/Farmington Hills community through 
its support of projects which enrich the lives of area residents.

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