[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 22868-22869]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          IN CELEBRATION OF THE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF ALMA VIA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 25, 2008

  Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, among the most vulnerable in our society 
are those in our elder population.
  That is why I have such profound respect and deep gratitude for the 
good work done by Alma Via of San Francisco. Alma Via is an assisted 
living and memory care community that services the senior community in 
the San Francisco Bay Area. They celebrate five excellent years of 
service this fall, on November 1, 2008.
  Alma Via is a member of Elder Care Alliance, a nonprofit faith-based 
organization committed to serving and enriching the physical, emotional 
and spiritual well-being of older adults. Their sponsors, the Sisters 
of Mercy, Burlingame, and the Sierra Pacific Synod of the Evangelical 
Lutheran Church of America, bring a 130-year tradition of service to 
their communities and commitment to enhancing the quality of life for 
elders through creative programs and supportive services.
  The Elder Care Alliance is composed of six communities in California 
and serves 700 elders. Their programs include special services for 
those with early to late stage dementia and without them, many of these 
older Americans would possibly not receive treatment. Their loving and 
professional communities are staffed by 620 dedicated staff members who 
provide daily care for residents in a manner that respects and 
celebrates the dignity and inherent worth of each person.
  Madam Speaker, I can personally attest to the excellence and 
compassion of the Sisters of Mercy. Wherever they choose to serve, 
their mission always moves their community and the world forward. The 
good work provided by Alma Via and the Elder Care Alliance is certainly 
no different. I ask you to join me in commending them for the important 
and necessary role they play in society by working tirelessly to help 
an expanding number of adults who desire to remain vital and active in 
their later years.

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