[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 182 (Friday, November 16, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1532]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN MEMORY OF GERALDINE SAMS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 16, 2018

  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Geraldine 
Sams, who passed away earlier this year. Although she was born and 
raised in Connecticut, Mrs. Sams leaves a strong legacy of compassion 
and dedication to North Texas.
   Mrs. Sams will be remembered for her long service to her fellow 
Americans. After earning her undergraduate degree at Central 
Connecticut State University and a Master of Social Work from Columbia 
University, Mrs. Sams spent ten years as a social worker at the New 
York Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan. Later in 1979, she moved to 
Texas and continued to work at both the Denton State Supported Living 
Center and Lewisville Medical Center. In 1991, Mrs. Sams founded Geri-
Options Geriatric Care Management, through which she helped countless 
North Texans and their families.
   In 2006, she pioneered Stepping Stones, a program to provide care 
for adults with dementia and support for their caregivers. Thanks to 
its success, the program has become a joint program with Texas Women's 
University School of Occupational Therapy, where Mrs. Sams taught 
courses for students studying social work.
   Throughout her life, Mrs. Sams exemplified commitment to 
compassionate care. As an active member of the North Texas community, 
she was a founding member of AIDS of Denton and the South Central 
Chapter of the Aging Life Care Association. Mrs. Sams also was an 
active member of Health Services of North Texas and the Alzheimer's 
Advisory Board. For her efforts, she was recognized with awards from 
both the National Association of Social Work and Health Services of 
North Texas.
   I am deeply grateful for Geraldine Sams' long service, which touched 
the lives of North Texans and Americans around the country. On behalf 
of the 26th District of Texas, I recognize her significant 
contributions to our region, and express my condolences to her family 
and all who knew her.

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