[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 163 (Tuesday, November 15, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1464]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING GRAND LAKE GARDENS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 15, 2016

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Grand Lake Gardens, a 
retirement community in the heart of Oakland, California, on the 
occasion of its 50th anniversary.
  Since 1966, Grand Lake Gardens has been providing seniors with a 
comfortable, safe, and convenient home near the beautiful Lake Merritt. 
Grand Lake Gardens' proximity to a thriving, vibrant commercial 
district with restaurants, parks, galleries, and more have allowed its 
residents to live fulfilling and active lives.
  Residents at Grand Lake Gardens take an active role in shaping their 
own programs, activities, and clubs to fit their interests, and 
residents have created their own fitness classes, current news 
seminars, and an organic garden.
  Grand Lake Gardens took shape as many Oakland-area Baptist churches 
searched for a way to address the need for housing and care of the 
elderly during the late 1950's and the early 1960's.
  In 1963, the Northern California Baptist Convention appointed a 
Commission on Retirement Housing to come up with solutions to the need 
for housing for the elderly in the Bay Area. Their solution was to 
build Grand Lake Gardens. A location was chosen, the money was raised, 
and on July 2nd, 1965, construction began on a seven-story building 
with 103 apartments and parking.
  Construction was completed by November 7th, 1966, and by Christmas of 
that year, there were 25 residents living at Grand Lake Gardens--enough 
for its first Christmas party.
  When Mr. Mark Knudsen became the first full-time administrator, in 
1981, Grand Lake Gardens began to truly flourish and blossom. Under Mr. 
Knudsen's leadership, the Grand Assembly and an activity room were 
added, a third-floor garden was created, and more staff was hired to 
provide residents with more activities, turning Grand Lake Gardens into 
the thriving and stimulating place it is today.
  Following a fire in 1994, the kitchen and dining room were remodeled, 
and an additional vegetable and flower garden for residents was added. 
Latex, Grand Lake Gardens added a wellness clinic and a van to provide 
transportation for residents, further improving the health and 
experience of seniors living there.
  On a personal note, my late beloved mother, Ms. Mildred Massey, spent 
the last five of her golden years at Grand Lake Gardens. She always 
told me what a warm and welcoming home Grand Lake Gardens was, and how 
loved and accepted she felt there.
  Today, on behalf of the residents of California's 13th Congressional 
District, I congratulate Grand Lake Gardens on 50 years of providing 
its residents with a comfortable, safe, and convenient home. I wish 
Grand Lake Gardens well as it continues to help seniors live thriving, 
vibrant, and active lives.

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