[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 24, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E611-E612]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CELEBRATING THE HABCENTER OF BOCA RATON SENSORY ROOM RIBBON CUTTING 
                                CEREMONY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JARED MOSKOWITZ

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 24, 2026

  Mr. MOSKOWITZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and 
congratulate the Habilitation Center for the Handicapped, Inc. 
(HabCenter) of Boca Raton on the Sensory Room Ribbon Cutting Ceremony 
which took place on June 17, 2026.
  For nearly five decades, the HabCenter has served as a beacon of 
opponunity, empowerment, and inclusion for adults with intellectual, 
developmental, and physical disabilities throughout Palm Beach County 
and South Florida. Its story began in the early 1970s when families in 
Boca Raton and surrounding communities recognized the need for 
accessible vocational and support services closer to home. In 1973, the 
Palm Beach County Commission donated twelve acres of land on Boca Rio 
Road, laying the foundation for what would become one of the region's 
most impactful nonprofit organizations.
  Through the generosity of families, community members, and government 
partners, the HabCenter opened its doors in October 1978 with a mission 
that remains unchanged today: to equip individuals with the knowledge, 
skills, and behaviors needed to lead useful and productive lives with 
dignity, respect, and independence,
  Today, the HabCenter provides comprehensive, client-centered services 
for adults with lifelong developmental and intellectual disabilities. 
Through vocational training opportunities, supported employment 
programs, behavioral health services, educational enrichment, arts and 
recreation initiatives, and community engagement activities, the 
organization empowers individuals to maximize their potential and 
achieve greater independence.
  The HabCenter's innovative programs, including HabCo Manufacturing 
and the HabCenter Plant Nursery, provide meaningful vocational 
experiences while helping participants develop valuable workplace 
skills and confidence. Through its comprehensive Programs in Education, 
Arts, and Recreation (P.E.A.R.) and dedicated Social Services 
Department, the organization offers a fully integrated approach that 
enhances quality of life and fosters personal growth, friendship, and 
fulfillment.
  I would also like to thank HabCenter's Chief Executive Officer, 
Sherry A. Henry and her team for their commitment and for guiding the 
organization's continued growth and success. I thank them for all the 
work they have done. Our community would not be the same without their 
dedication.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Florida's 23rd Congressional District, I 
ask our colleagues to join us in congratulating the HabCenter on this 
significant milestone and in recognizing its extraordinary 
contributions to individuals with disabilities, their families, and the 
broader South

[[Page E612]]

Florida community. We look forward to its continued success and impact 
for many years to come.

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