[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 4921]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF INTELLECTUAL & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I am pleased today to join the Illinois 
chapter of the American Association of Intellectual & Developmental 
Disabilities in recognizing the recipients of the 2007 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 
valued 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 
AAIDD's 2007 Direct Service Professional Award: Rachel Bailey, Chuck 
Biggs, Bonnie Brunk, Dave Davis, Debra Jargstorf, Vanessa Kochevar, 
Carolyn Linnert, Nikki Miller, Donzetta Ragsdale, John Ramos, Tony 
Rogers, Ylanza Stockweather, Jill Tyszko, and Yvonne Wright.
  I know my fellow Senators will join me in congratulating the winners 
of the 2007 Direct Service Professional Award. I applaud their 
dedication and thank them for their service.

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