[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 28758]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER OF GENESEE COUNTY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 29, 2007

  Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the wonderful 
work achieved by the Child Advocacy Center of Genesee County. The Child 
Advocacy Center will honor its volunteers and supporters at a dinner on 
November 2nd in Grand Blanc Michigan.
  During the 1980s the Child Advocacy Center idea was developed to 
provide a safe haven for the victims of child sexual abuse. After the 
State of Michigan published a ``Model Child Abuse Protocol-Coordinated 
Investigative Team Approach'' in the 1990s as a guide to local 
communities, the idea of the Genesee County Child Advocacy Center was 
born. A concept paper was submitted to the Ruth Mott Foundation in 
2001. The concept became a proposal and in 2005 the Center was fully 
functional. Using forensic interviewing techniques specifically 
designed for children, the Center coordinates representatives from 
child protection, law enforcement, prosecution, mental health and 
family court. The coordination puts the needs of the victim first and 
endeavors to enhance the safety and well-being of the children.
  On Friday, November 2nd the Genesee County Child Advocacy Center will 
honor the persons in our community that have gone the extra mile to 
help the victims of child sexual and physical abuse. These individuals 
will come from the segments of the law enforcement and social services 
agencies that are the front lines in the fight against abuse. The 
winners of the ``Our Stars'' awards will be announced that evening.
  Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me and 
applaud the work of the Child Advocacy Center and their partners. I am 
grateful for their service to our community. In a perfect world we 
would not need their services, but we do not live in a perfect world 
and we are fortunate to have these individuals step forward and strive 
to help and heal our most precious resource, our children.

                          ____________________