[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 72 (Tuesday, May 13, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E748-E749]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       IN RECOGNITION OF THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF SAMARITAN HOUSE

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 13, 2014

  Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the staff and volunteers of 
Samaritan House in San Mateo, California, who for 40 years have given 
shelter and dignity to individuals and families in need.
  Samaritan House is a haven and lifeline for more than 12,000 members 
of our community, providing shelter, food, clothing, health care, 
worker resources and counseling services for low income families. 
Today, the dedicated staff of 77 and over 2,000 volunteers serve 
145,000 meals a year, serve 10,000 people a year at two clinics, 
counsel 500 people a month and have 90 shelter beds to house the 
homeless.
  In 1974, Samaritan House was created by Cora Clemons, a public health 
nurse, in partnership with the city of San Mateo. It was a referral 
agency for people with basic social services. In 1985 John Kelly, a 
Catholic priest for 25 years, became the executive director and earned 
the nickname ``Father of Samaritan House.'' Under his leadership for 14 
years, the agency was transformed and vastly expanded. It merged with 
the Hospitality Family Kitchen, which had been established by concerned 
citizens a year before, and started providing direct services, 
including food, clothing and a new Thanksgiving program. Shortly after 
that, the food pantry opened and then Samaritan House moved into two 
mobile units on Humboldt Street in San Mateo. With the expansion, 
Samaritan House was able to help more people and also grew its number 
of volunteers. In 1989, it hosted its first Volunteer Community 
Recognition event.
  In 1990, San Mateo High School students helped propel the food 
program to its next level by launching the annual food drive. With the 
food program well established, Samaritan House focused on expanding its 
services to include medical care. The Free Medical Clinic opened in a 
few rooms at Samaritan House in 1992. In 1998, the Breast Care program 
was created and in 2001, the second Free Medical Clinic opened on 5th 
Avenue in Redwood City. In 2004, the first Free Medical Clinic moved to 
a new facility on West 39th Avenue in San Mateo.
  Samaritan House started offering services to the homeless in 1987. In 
2000 it opened Safe Harbor Shelter on property next to San Francisco 
International Airport. The facility was renovated six years later and 
now offers 90 emergency shelter beds.
  In 2009, Samaritan House moved into its current home on Pacific 
Boulevard. The facility has a state-of-the-art industrial kitchen and 
food pantry, clothing distribution center, case management and 
counseling services and administrative services. It's a magnificent 
home for an organization doing magnificent work.
  All of the services at Samaritan House are free, but clients are held 
accountable and

[[Page E749]]

have to demonstrate that they are making progress in finding jobs, 
housing and becoming self-sufficient. While there are emergency 
assistance programs to help families in crises, the ultimate goal is to 
help them to help themselves by empowering them with financial 
education, asset building, income tax assistance, enrollment in benefit 
programs, and counseling.
  From 2001 to 2013 Kitty Lopez led Samaritan House as its executive 
director. Always with a smile on her face, she placed Samaritan House 
on a solid footing, expanded its efforts to help those in need and kept 
operations orderly and safe. In June, Bart Charlow will take the reins 
as the new CEO and will continue the legacy of this outstanding non-
profit organization. The success of Samaritan House is also due to the 
superb guidance of the board of directors: Board President Patricia 
Hsiu, Jay Strauss, Mollie Marshall, Timothy K. Roake, Ralph Armeio, 
Todd Barrett, Maude N. Brezinski, Lucretia-del J. Broussard, Joan 
Cassman, Nisha Chaudry, Richard L. Davis, William S. Freeman, Robert 
Grassilli, Natashia Lopez-Gomez, J. Frank McCabe, Alex Moldanado, 
Allison Nuschy-Lenat, Judi Powell, Carl A. Serrato, Jason Ting, Trisha 
Vicario and James Whitehead.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me to 
honor the 40th anniversary of Samaritan House in San Mateo, California, 
an institution that has lifted up thousands of residents and put them 
on a path to hope, independence and productivity.