[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 133 (Tuesday, October 1, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S7100]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                100TH ANNIVERSARY OF STARR COMMONWEALTH

  Mr. LEVIN. Madam President, it is a great pleasure to join my 
colleague Debbie Stabenow in honoring Starr Commonwealth on a century 
of distinguished service to children and families across Michigan. 
Fittingly, they will mark this milestone with a Founder's Day 
celebration on October 6 in Albion, MI. This impressive community-based 
organization is, indeed, 100 years young.
  ``There is no such thing as a bad child.'' This simple yet profound 
belief, held fervently by Floyd Starr, the founder of Starr 
Commonwealth, has served as the guiding principle for everything Starr 
Commonwealth has accomplished from the very beginning. A century ago, 
Floyd Starr sought to create a place where troubled youth could find 
shelter, peace and the assistance they need to grow. He understood 
then, as we do today, that it is important to ensure that all young 
people, regardless of their circumstances, have an opportunity to 
flourish. Today, Starr Commonwealth is stronger than ever, and their 
strength-based approach to transforming the lives of young people has 
proven successful time and again.
  Situated on 350 acres in Albion, MI, Starr Commonwealth has nurtured 
an environment steeped in natural beauty to serve as an oasis where 
troubled youth can begin the process of comprehensive, constructive 
change. This nonprofit, multiservice organization currently reaches 
more than 1.5 million people annually, including families across 
Michigan, around the United States and in more than 60 countries 
throughout the world. Starr Commonwealth operates dozens of programs 
with a focus on helping young people reach their full potential. These 
programs include residential care services, a therapeutic boarding 
school, community-based and home-based programs, a public access 
charter school, and an international learning network for professionals 
working in positive youth development, trauma-informed care and racial 
healing, among many others.
  Organizations such as Starr Commonwealth play an invaluable role in 
communities across our Nation. They provide young people with the tools 
they need to succeed and become productive members of society. Helping 
young people face adversity and overcome challenges in a caring, 
positive way is a blessing Starr Commonwealth has bestowed not just on 
the young they nurture, but on the future of our State.
  Success stories can be found in communities across our land. The 
lives of countless young people have been transformed; their families 
are healthier; and the communities in which they reside are stronger as 
a result of Starr Commonwealth's work. Senator Stabenow and I are 
delighted to congratulate all who have contributed to the success of 
this fine organization. Our young people, and our State, have brighter 
futures because Starr Commonwealth is there to help them along the way.

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