[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 40 (Monday, March 14, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E301]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ANN ARBOR CENTER FOR 
                           INDEPENDENT LIVING

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 14, 2016

  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate 
the Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living on their 40th anniversary. 
The accomplishment of this long-standing non-profit agency exemplifies 
the importance and strength of public-private partnerships in our 
communities.
  Founded in February of 1976, the Ann Arbor Center for Independent 
Living has worked to improve the lives of those living with 
disabilities in our community. The group was launched to provide help 
for individuals with disabilities, by people with disabilities. It 
sought to move beyond the low expectations of people in the disabled 
community, and worked diligently to help them achieve full 
participation and access to opportunities that able-bodied people take 
for granted. At the time of its inception, it was just the fourth 
Center for Independent Living in the country, and the first in the 
State of Michigan. The Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living provides 
the most basic life needs to people: housing, transportation, and 
access to resources. Their work has now expanded to positively impact 
the lives of over 4,000 people in Southeast Michigan each year.
  The center offers individualized counseling, advocacy efforts, skill-
building classes, recreation, arts programming, and other tools that 
build a sense of community and belonging for all. For 40 years, the Ann 
Arbor Center for Independent Living has held itself to the highest 
standards of excellence to ensure that our residents continue to have a 
place to turn for support in good times and in bad times.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in honoring the Ann 
Arbor Center for Independent Living on their 40th Anniversary and to 
wish them many more years of continued success.

                          ____________________