[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Page 1823]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        AMERICAN ASSOCIATION ON MENTAL RETARDATION AWARD WINNERS

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I am pleased today to join the Illinois 
chapter of the American Association on Mental Retardation, AAMR, in 
recognizing the recipients of the 2006 Direct Service Professional 
Award. These individuals are being honored for their outstanding 
efforts to enrich the lives of people with developmental disabilities 
in Illinois.
  These recipients have displayed a strong sense of humanity and 
professionalism in their work with persons with disabilities. Their 
efforts have inspired the lives of those for whom they care, and they 
are an inspiration to me as well. They have set a fine example of 
community service for all Americans to follow.
  These honorees spend more than 50 percent of their time at work in 
direct, personal involvement with their clients. They are not primarily 
managers or supervisors. They are direct service workers at the 
forefront of America's effort to care for people with special needs. 
They do their work every day with little public recognition, providing 
much needed care and assistance that is unknown except to those with 
whom they work.
  It is my honor and privilege to recognize the Illinois recipients of 
AAMR's 2006 Direct Service Professional Award: Cheryl Case, Lisa 
Cutter, Jane Flores, Cindy Block, Patricia Bzdyl, Don Collins, Judy 
Hicks, Holly Spence, Della Reese, Sarah McRae, and Kathy Slimmer.
  I know my fellow Senators will join me in congratulating the winners 
of the 2006 Direct Service Professional Award. I applaud their 
dedication and thank them for their service.

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