[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 138 (Thursday, September 24, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1348]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING NORMA MONTNA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN GARAMENDI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 24, 2015

  Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the work of 
Norma Montna a lifetime advocate for persons with disabilities, and one 
of my district's 2015 Woman of the year.
  Whereas, on the Twenty-Second Day of September, of the Year Two 
Thousand and Fifteen, Norma Montna was recognized as a 2015 Woman of 
the year.
  Whereas, Norma Montna married her high school sweetheart Larry and in 
1961, gave birth to their only child, Butchie. Butchie was born with 
Down's Syndrome and is the inspiration behind Norma's lifelong mission 
to help others with disabilities. Her work includes offering peer 
support to families of children with special needs and active board 
membership with many of the agencies that provide educational and 
support services such as Easter Seals, Special Olympics, Yuba Sutter 
Mercy Guild, Kiwanis Family House, Gateway Project, Sutter County Board 
of Education, CA State Area Board for Developmentally Disabled, and 
Yuba Sutter Association for the Retarded.
  Whereas, in 1979, a community pool offering therapeutic warm water 
therapy for those with disabilities at no cost was established in 
memory of Butchie Montna. Butchie's Pool is unique and the only pool of 
its kind in the Yuba-Sutter area. The pool today serves a large number 
of area Seniors suffering from age-related disabling conditions at 
minimal cost and provides relief to over 1,500 individuals annually.
  Whereas, Norma, who still serves on the pool's Board of Directors, 
has poured her heart and soul into keeping this haven of love, fun, and 
physical support open and alive for 40 years.
  Whereas, ``The pool was an idea we thought of after we lost Butchie, 
because he loved the water. He'd have been here every day,'' explains 
Norma, who fondly refers to former friends of Butchie's who still 
attend the pool as her `kids'.
  Resolved, that I Congressman John Garamendi of California's Third 
Congressional District, do hereby recognize and celebrate the 
accomplishments of Norma Montna.

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