[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 12001-12002]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



         HONORING LINDA ENGELHART FOR HER WORK WITH THE ELDERLY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 26, 2001

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
commend Linda Engelhart for working selflessly to improve the lives of 
the elderly, especially the work she did at Columbine Manor in Salida, 
Colorado. Linda believes, as Arlene Shovald of the Mountain Mail 
quotes, that if everybody ``would do one kind thing a day,'' then ``it 
would be a better world.'' Linda, whose actions demonstrate her 
commitment to such kindness, has improved this world for many.
  Linda, who has also worked for Area Agency on Aging, has acted as 
admissions and marketing director at Columbine Manor for three years. 
In order to ensure that each resident always has something to look 
forward to, Linda initiates many projects at the Manor. For instance, 
she holds a weekly meeting called ``Conversations with Linda,'' to 
which she brings a tasty cuisine like lemon meringue pie or crab cakes 
to spice up the normal meal schedule. The meeting offers more than just 
a delicious treat, however. Each Tuesday, according to Linda, the 
residents ``share beautiful stories about their past.'' In addition, 
she has involved herself with a committee that plans activities for 
residents and their families such as Operation Christmas Child, which 
creates shoeboxes full of gifts for small children. Also, she helps 
hold a party for every holiday, and a barbecue every month. Linda, 
always a good listener, makes sure that her events bring what her 
residents desire. For instance, she says, ``Today, we're helping the 
residents make potato salad . . . . They wanted homemade potato salad, 
so we let them do it.''

[[Page 12002]]

  Linda has helped transform the Columbine Manor into a rehabilitation 
center, sending home about 40 percent of its residents within a month 
or two. Perhaps the rehabilitation rate at Columbine Manor is so high 
because Lisa has treated her job as an opportunity to increase morale, 
to work alongside, and to generally get to know the residents there.
  As you can see, Mr. Speaker, Linda Engelhart has acted with 
compassion, and has served as a model for the young and old of our 
nation. Today, I would like to thank and honor her on behalf of 
Congress for all that she has done for her residents and for humanity.

                          ____________________