[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6261]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   THE NATIONAL CRITTENTON FOUNDATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 16, 2008

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, it is an honor for me to recognize the 
National Florence Crittenton Foundation on its 125th year anniversary. 
As the first charitable organization created under a congressional 
charter, the Crittenton Foundation continues to perform good works for 
communities across the country.
  The city of Portland, Oregon, was just over 40 years old when the 
Portland Crittenton Refuge Home was founded there in 1893, resulting 
from a donation made by the organization's founder. Charles Crittenton. 
Today, the headquarters of the National Crittenton Foundation is still 
located in the heart of Portland.
  The work of the Crittenton foundation in reaching out to welcome and 
care for girls and young women seeking support during their unplanned 
pregnancy is well known. However many are less familiar with the 
extensive work of the national network of affiliated Crittenton 
agencies and how they have shaped the way social services are offered 
and the mentality of self-empowering the girls and young women they 
serve.
  The unique relationship between the National Crittenton Foundation 
and the family of affiliated agencies continues to be based on the 
beliefs of co-founders Charles Crittenton and Dr. Kate Waller Barrett. 
They believed that the best way to address compelling social issues in 
the United States was through a network of independent, local agencies 
supported by a national body. This belief grew into a national movement 
encompassing, at one point, 76 agencies in 5 countries, and continues 
to guide thc organization today.
  There are now over 23 Crittenton agencies across the country, which 
have provided valuable support and services to 5 million vulnerable 
girls, young women, and their families. Their success has come from 
over a century of providing forward-thinking and innovative services 
grounded in research, compassion, and a belief that change comes 
through empowerment. Crittenton programs address complex social issues, 
including teen pregnancy, mental health, substance abuse, and 
interpersonal violence, and they do so in ways that are gender and 
culturally specific.
  Most importantly, Crittenton services build upon the individuality, 
resiliency and strength of this country's young women.
  Please join me in wishing another successful 125 years to the 
National Crittenton Foundation and its family of agencies across the 
country.

                          ____________________