[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 171 (Wednesday, November 30, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1550]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING CAREGIVERS OUTREACH MINISTRY EMPOWERMENT INC. 10TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 30, 2016

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Caregivers Outreach 
Ministry Empowerment Inc. (C.O.M.E.) a remarkable organization in New 
York City that for 10 years has empowered family caregivers with 
accessible resources and knowledge to make comfortable choices and 
decisions that will have a positive impact upon the quality of life for 
themselves and their loved ones.
  A family caregiver, sometimes called an informal caregiver is an 
unpaid individual--a spouse, partner, family member, friend co-worker 
or neighbor--assisting others with activities of daily living and/or 
medical tasks. In New York City, 1.25 million family caregivers provide 
over one billion hours of unpaid care to elderly loved ones. 
Nationally, there are approximately 1.3 to 1.4 million-child caregivers 
who are between the ages of 8 and 18 providing care to a family member. 
Youth caregivers are often called a ``hidden population,'' because they 
suffer from a systemic lack of support from their schools and 
communities.
  Since its founding in 2006 by Diane Leona Cooper, C.O.M.E. has worked 
to educate, equip and empower community leaders with the tools to 
develop and implement the C.O.M.E. Outreach Support Model. The group 
has collaborated with a wide array of elected officials and 
organizations to advocate for family caregivers, and the work they have 
done in the community has been nothing short of remarkable.
  As C.O.M.E. celebrates its 10th anniversary, I want to take the 
opportunity to thank their leadership team and staff for all of the 
good works they have done. It is wonderful to know I have such an 
amazing partner fighting for families in the community.

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