[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 25050]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   PROJECT MEND-A-HOUSE CELEBRATES 25 YEARS IN PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY

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                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 15, 2009

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Project Mend-A-House and its twenty-five years of service to the 
citizens of Prince William County, the City of Manassas and the City of 
Manassas Park.
  A joint effort between private citizens and the Prince William County 
government, Project Mend-A-House was created in 1984. At the time, Lily 
Blackwell was a volunteer delivering meals to seniors who were confined 
to their homes due to disabilities. Her call to action began with the 
observation that a number of seniors along her delivery route could no 
longer perform necessary home repairs. Basic home repair and some 
structural improvements were needed to ensure that these disabled 
seniors remained safe and independent. Ms. Blackwell partnered with 
Toni Clemons-Porter and Lin Wagener of the Prince William Area Agency 
on Aging to create the foundation of an organization that has now 
provided humanitarian assistance for a quarter of a century.
  Project Mend-A-House completes home repairs and safety modifications 
to facilitate independent living for seniors, the disabled and low-
income residents. Over the years, projects have ranged from fixing 
termite damage in an older home to making entire houses more accessible 
with wheelchair ramps, hand rails, shower seats and transfer benches. 
The work is truly a community effort. Local corporate partners provide 
monetary support, volunteers and building materials. Civic associations 
and faith based groups contribute hundreds of volunteer hours to 
Project Mend-A-House each year. Project Mend-A-House puts everyone to 
work regardless of skill level to improve the quality of life for our 
disabled, elderly and low income neighbors.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in commending Project 
Mend-A-House and its volunteers. The strength of a community can be 
measured by how it responds to the plight of the less fortunate, and 
Project Mend-A-House is certainly contributing to a robust spirit of 
community in Prince William County.

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