[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 30 (Tuesday, February 14, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S396]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                           RECOGNIZING WAVES

 Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. President, in 1973 the citizens of 
Fairview, TN set out to solve a problem. Their community was growing, 
but individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities were 
being left behind. Not content to ignore their plight, a small group of 
families and local leaders put their heads together. After much 
deliberation, Waves was born.
  50 years later, what started as a small but significant passion 
project has blossomed into a pillar of the Williamson County community. 
Each day, close to 100 full-time and part-time employees and volunteers 
serve more than 700 children and adults through early learning, adult 
day service, adult residential, and employment programs.
  Here in Washington, we provide what support we can to community 
programs like these. But, as the people at Waves and other places like 
it will tell you, what keeps these organizations going is the support 
of their friends and neighbors and the belief in the possibility of a 
loving and more supportive world.
  As they celebrate their 50th anniversary, I want to thank the 
dedicated team at Waves for giving so much of themselves to this cause. 
On behalf of all Tennesseans, I wish you the very best and look forward 
to seeing what you do next.

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