[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 74 (Tuesday, May 8, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H3787-H3788]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        RECOGNIZING CASA FAMILIA

  (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Casa 
Familia, a nonprofit organization in my congressional district 
dedicated to serving individuals with special needs.
  Casa Familia was founded by eight families with special needs 
children, and I am proud to have known one of the founders, Lourdes 
Sanchez, for many, many years. They came together to solve a very real 
problem in south Florida: the lack of affordable, quality housing for 
individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, or IDD.
  Sadly, close to 1 million Floridians are diagnosed with an 
intellectual or developmental disability and are unable to live 
independently. That is where Casa Familia comes in. This outstanding 
organization provides affordable housing solutions, vocational

[[Page H3788]]

training, and employment services for adults with IDD.
  Casa Familia is also planning an integrated residential community 
that will offer a variety of recreational activities and educational 
programs to ensure that residents continue to grow and develop.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank everyone at Casa Familia for all 
that they do to improve the lives of so many individuals and help them 
achieve their full potential.

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