[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 193 (Tuesday, November 28, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1609]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING ROBYN KRUEGER ON 40 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO COMMUNITY 
                   MISSIONS OF NIAGARA FRONTIER, INC.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 28, 2017

  Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Community 
Missions, Inc. (CMI) of Niagara Frontier's Executive Director, Ms. 
Robyn Krueger on the occasion of her 40th Anniversary of dedicated 
service to those in need throughout the City of Niagara Falls and 
beyond its borders.
  Since 1925, Community Missions' guiding principle to provide 
``Compassion in Action'' remains a clarion call to all those who lead, 
work, volunteer and engage with individuals and families to reach their 
full potential. This organization has expanded its reach beyond its 
initial population of homeless individuals to now include 19 programs 
within four divisions known as Crisis & Community Services, Mental 
Health Housing Services, Mental Health Recovery Services and Youth 
Services, reflecting the changing needs of the community throughout the 
decades.
  Community Missions' vision to help people find their place in the 
world is certainly personified in its long-time Executive Director, 
Robyn Krueger. Hired in 1977, she began her career with CMI as a live-
in houseparent to six adolescent males in the City of Niagara Falls. 
She graduated from SUNY at Buffalo with a Bachelor of Arts in 
Psychology in 1985 and completed several selected graduate studies in 
the Counseling and Educational Psychology Department. Ms. Krueger was 
named Executive Director of CMI in September of 1994. For the more than 
two decades since she assumed this role, CMI continues to open its 
doors to better reflect the changing needs of the community. As CMI 
provides almost 50 percent more meals than it did 10 years ago, it is 
clear those needs are growing. In 2016 alone, Community Missions 
provided 11,104 nights of shelter, 89,366 meals, 6,744 individuals with 
clothing, 2,295 care days in Youth Services, 46,888 care days in 
Recovery Services, 73,994 care days in Housing Services and 182 
opportunities for Faith Development.
  Ms. Krueger's extensive professional and community involvement 
spreads beyond her duties as Executive Director as she serves on a 
variety of local, county and state committees, boards and associations 
in leadership and active roles. These include the Association for 
Community Living, Homeless Alliance of Western New York, Juvenile 
Detention Association of NYS, Niagara Behavioral Healthcare Network, 
Niagara County Juvenile Justice Taskforce and NYS Association for 
Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services, Inc.
  A member of the Who's Who among Outstanding Business Executives, this 
determined administrator is a graduate of Leadership Niagara's Class of 
2004. Her achievements have earned her the 2006 Anthony J. Cuccurullo 
Award from the New York State Juvenile Detention Association, the 2011 
Niagara Award for Management from the YWCA of Niagara Frontier, and the 
2013 Killian Vetter Individual Achievement Award given by the Homeless 
Alliance of Western New York. Other well deserved recognitions include 
the Woman Vanessa Scott Ministries ``I Shall Wear a Crown'' Award given 
for Ministry Service, the Dominion Life Christian Center ``Lion of 
Judah'' Award for longevity of service to the community, and the 2016 
Niagara University President's Award-St. Vincent de Paul.
  Ms. Krueger's commitment to service clearly includes putting others 
first as her heart, humanity and deep faith are integral to her 
leadership style. She publicly proclaims so often that ``operating such 
a diverse organization would not be possible without the help of our 
dedicated staff, along with the unwavering support of our community.'' 
These are more than mere words as for 25 years CMI recognizes their 
volunteers and supporters for their countless hours of commitment, care 
and concern for their neighbors in need with its Annual Compassion in 
Action Awards Brunch.
  CMI continues to strengthen its public, private and non-profit 
partnerships, with institutions such as United Way of Niagara County 
and Niagara University, as it is actively engaged in the planning, 
programs and intervention strategies presented at the Annual Poverty 
Conference. The leadership of Community Missions and the Niagara Falls 
Memorial Medical Center have joined forces to increase recovery and 
understanding with a focus on the annual Interfaith Community Prayer 
Service. Under Ms. Krueger's direction, these works and other ongoing 
collaborative efforts have earned Community Missions the Catholic 
Charities 2003 Community Partner and the 2009 Niagara USA Chamber 
Community Advocate of the Year Award. On Wednesday, November 29th, 
2017, the Community Missions family including staff, board members, 
volunteers, supporters and friends will gather to observe 92 years of 
service to the Niagara Frontier. The highlight of this event will be 
the heartfelt acknowledgement of Robyn Krueger's 40 years of helping 
countless families and individuals reach their full potential.
  It should be noted that the 40th is traditionally known as the ruby 
anniversary, as the symbolism behind that crimson stone rests in its 
inner flame that represents a living and vibrant love. It should be 
said that Ms. Robyn Krueger possesses that inner flame as her 
professional career and personal commitment represents a living and 
vibrant love for Community Missions, her faith and her fellow human 
beings.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the significant contributions and 
good works of Ms. Robyn Krueger as her 40th Anniversary is recognized 
during this ``Season of Thanks'' celebration, and to thank her and 
Community Missions of Niagara Frontier, Inc. for making a real 
difference in our world.

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