[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Page 21000]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING FAUSTA SAWAL

 Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, today I recognize Mrs. Fausta 
Sawal for her outstanding service in senior citizen communities in our 
home State of Washington. Mrs. Sawal was selected among 16,000 
volunteers to receive the Senior Companion 2007 Spirit of Service 
Award.
  The Spirit of Service awards are given to individuals who have 
demonstrated both leadership and a commitment to service within their 
communities. Mrs. Sawal has been a true role model in the community, 
helping senior citizens and disabled adults for more than 16 years. 
During her service with the Volunteers of America Senior Companion 
Program in Seattle/King County, she made a profound difference in the 
quality of life for dozens of people. Mrs. Sawal was there to call 911 
when one of her clients suffered from a heart attack. She also provided 
assistance when another client fell from a bus and needed to be taken 
to the hospital. Time and again, Mrs. Sawal demonstrated her caring 
nature and her ability to effectively assist individuals in a time of 
need.
  Mrs. Sawal has not limited her work to helping individuals. She has 
been a leader within many community organizations. Currently, she is 
the president of the Senior Companion Program Advisory Council, a 
member of the Filipino Community Center, and a volunteer at both the 
Asian Counseling and Referral Services and the International Drop-In 
Center. Mrs. Sawal has been active in each of these organizations, 
taking on many responsibilities including organizing special events, 
assisting case managers and clients, assisting with in-service 
trainings, procuring sponsors, and recruiting volunteers.
  In addition to her role in the community, this amazing woman has 
raised eight children. Mrs. Sawal has more than 20 grandchildren and 4 
great-grandchildren. In 2004, she was chosen as the Mother of the Year 
in Seattle's Asian community.
  I would like to thank Mrs. Sawal for the positive impact she has had 
on so many lives in Washington State. Both her past activities and her 
current pursuits are helping to create healthier and happier 
communities. I am sure Mrs. Sawal will continue to make significant 
contributions to her family and in the elderly and disabled communities 
in Washington. Mrs. Sawal is a remarkable woman, and I am pleased she 
is being honored for her years of dedication to helping others.

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