[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 56 (Monday, April 1, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E376-E377]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE CEDARS OF MARIN CENTENNIAL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JARED HUFFMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 1, 2019

  Mr. HUFFMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in celebration of Cedars of 
Marin reaching its centennial. The oldest and largest organization of 
its kind in Marin County, Cedars was the first residential school 
facility to serve individuals with mental disabilities in the western 
United States, a mission that it has stayed true to this day.
  Founded in 1919, Cedars was originally established as a privately-
owned school in Marin County for children with mental disabilities. 
After a change in ownership in 1938, the school grew, adding two 
dormitories and 22 acres of land over the next 18 years. By 1964, the 
school had expanded significantly, adding a ranch lodge, pool, 
workshop, and stables. One year later, the privately-owned school

[[Page E377]]

was incorporated as a nonprofit, with the name Cedars Development 
Foundation. As a newly minted nonprofit, the organization pivoted to 
focus on both the education and housing of individuals with 
intellectual and developmental disabilities. This led to the opening of 
Cedars' first community-based home in 1968, pioneering a model for 
which the organization would become known. By 1984, Cedars began its 
Community Living Skills day program, expanding the organization's 
programming into skills development and community building for 
individuals who weren't housed by the program. Over the next seven 
years, Cedars would continue to innovate, adding a Community Challenges 
program, opening eight additional community-based homes, and initiating 
a successful capital campaign to renovate the original site. By 1995, 
the organization was officially re-named Cedars of Marin.
  Today, Cedars of Marin has provided services to over 2,500 
individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through 
the organization's innovative community-based housing program, Cedars 
now houses approximately 100 individuals across its main campus and ten 
group homes, building a safe and productive environment for them to 
reach their highest levels of independence. The organization's skills-
focused day programs serve over 190 individuals each weekday, creating 
a larger community of support for the intellectually and 
developmentally disabled, while also helping their families.
  Madam Speaker, Cedars of Marin has continued to be an innovative 
leader in the areas of residential, educational, and community building 
programs for the intellectually and developmentally disabled. Through 
the unwavering dedication of its leadership and staff, the organization 
has never lost sight of its original purpose to provide opportunities 
to help these individuals live as independently as possible, while 
leading happy and productive lives. Therefore, please join me in 
congratulating Cedars of Marin for a century of inspiring work, and in 
wishing them many more years of success.

                          ____________________