[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 124 (Tuesday, July 24, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1057-E1058]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF LIFETRACK

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 24, 2018

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Lifetrack on 
70 years of providing high quality supportive services to some of the 
most vulnerable residents of Saint Paul, Minnesota and surrounding 
communities. Throughout decades of adaptations, Lifetrack remains 
constant in serving those in need, and empowering families to thrive 
through challenges.
  In 1948, injured veterans returning from WWII and families ravaged by 
the polio epidemic faced major obstacles. Lifetrack was born as a 
collaboration of social services agencies that embarked on a mission to 
provide speech, physical, and occupational therapies to these adults 
and children. Later, the organization launched vocational programs that 
aimed to prepare people for life and work after their rehabilitation. 
Services have continued to expand to assist families and individuals 
experiencing homelessness and new refugees. Lifetrack also now provides 
services to families of highly stressed and deaf and hard-of-hearing 
children to help them build social, emotional and life skills that can 
carry them through their lives.
  When individuals and families face adversity, a network of support is 
critical to resiliency. For the most vulnerable in our community, that 
support is not always available. Lifetrack strengthens our community by 
empowering families and forging connections.

[[Page E1058]]

Staff and volunteers make it their mission to help individuals build 
their own support systems and by connecting them to services both 
within and outside the organization. All of us benefit when individuals 
and families have the tools to reach their full potential.
  For 70 years Lifetrack has worked to help the most vulnerable achieve 
better lives by building resilience, breaking cycles of trauma and 
hardship, and providing therapies that make working and living a 
comfortable life more attainable.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating the staff, volunteers, 
board of Lifetrack on seven decades of remarkable service to the 
community.

                          ____________________