[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 89 (Tuesday, May 12, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E441]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING GERRI BACKES OF KALISPELL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GREG GIANFORTE

                               of montana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 12, 2020

  Mr. GIANFORTE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Gerri Backes of 
Kalispell for supporting and caring for seniors in her community as we 
face this unprecedented time.
  Gerri is the president of the Kalispell Senior Center. Since taking 
over last summer, she has made increasing social events a priority, 
with a goal of creating programs that seniors will look forward to. 
Gerri says this new approach has paid dividends and now their group is 
closer than ever. Last year, she set up a ``90-plus'' party for 17 
members of the senior center, and dozens showed up to celebrate their 
long, fulfilling lives. She says parties like these promote community 
and build critical relationships that ultimately improve the life of 
her members.
  She also oversees the center's ``Warm It Up'' program. Through this 
major project, seniors knit hats, scarfs, and quilts to donate to 
organizations and schools throughout Kalispell. In 2019 alone, they 
donated 3,000 items. Under her leadership, the center also offers 
exercise classes along with educational presentations on health care 
and fraud. They play Pinochle on Tuesdays and Fridays and have a very 
popular weekly Bingo night. But all of that has come to a screeching 
halt.
  Officials closed the center in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. As 
a result, seniors are confined to their homes, isolated and with little 
to no social interaction. Luckily for this Kalispell group, they have 
Gerri.
  For Gerri, one of the best things in life is laughter. She says it 
keeps the soul happy and hopeful. While the center's doors are closed, 
Gerri has been making phone calls to check up on her friends, and she 
refuses to hang up until she gets a laugh. And that's not all she does.
  During these long days at home, it's easy to get lonely and restless, 
so Gerri delivers puzzles and books to her friends. She says this group 
of Kalispell Valley seniors is her family, and she'll continue to help 
them whether the center is open or closed.
  Madam Speaker, for delivering laughs and hope to Montana seniors, I 
recognize Gerri Backes of Kalispell for her spirit of Montana.

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