[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 57 (Tuesday, April 10, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E420]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO LEE SCHULZ

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. GWEN MOORE

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 10, 2018

  Ms. MOORE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lee Schulz, Chief 
Executive Officer of lndependenceFirst in Milwaukee. Lee Schulz is 
retiring from lndependenceFirst in April, 2018 after serving in this 
position for over 32 years. He has led the organization with 
dedication, passion, enthusiasm and motivation.
  When Lee Schulz assumed this position in 1986, lndependenceFirst was 
a small organization of seven people with an annual operating budget of 
$260,000. Under his guidance, the agency grew to 106 in-house staff and 
1,600 Personal Care Workers with a budget of $31 million. Lee Schulz 
has developed several innovative programs while at lndependenceFirst, 
such as: the statewide Women and Abuse Program; Alternative Financing 
Program, Home Ownership Program; the Try a Gadget Resource Center; and 
the Personal Assistance Program. He also led the relocation of 
lndependenceFirst into its current, owned facility which is a model of 
accessibility. I have had the opportunity and pleasure to utilize the 
lndependenceFirst's facility on many occasions; it is a welcoming 
environment for all.
  Mr. Schulz has served several terms on the National Council for 
Independent Living's (NCIL) Board of Directors, served on the State 
Independent Living Council (SILC), co-founded Wisconsin's Coalition of 
Independent Living Centers (WCILC), served on several research and 
training center advisory committees on disability related issues, and 
served on several local non-profit board of directors.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize Lee Schulz for his unwavering 
commitment to uphold lndependenceFirst's mission to effectively 
facilitate the empowerment of individuals with disabilities. Under his 
leadership, this multi-dimensional agency, lndependenceFirst, has 
assisted thousands of individuals with disabilities to live with 
dignity and independence. Next year, IndependenceFirst will celebrate 
their 40th year anniversary, without Lee Schulz at the helm but we know 
he has left a legacy of strong leadership there. The citizens of the 
Fourth Congressional District, the State of Wisconsin and the nation 
have benefited tremendously from his dedicated service. I am honored 
for these reasons to pay tribute to Lee Schulz.

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