[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 6820-6821]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING JOHN F. MURPHY HOMES

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL H. MICHAUD

                                of maine

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 15, 2012

  Mr. MICHAUD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize John F. Murphy 
Homes of Auburn, Maine on the occasion of its 35th anniversary.
  John G. Murphy was one of Maine's foremost advocates on behalf of the 
developmentally disabled. In 1954, Mr. Murphy used his standing on the 
Lewiston Board of Finance to open the Garcelon School as an educational 
facility for mentally retarded children. After his passing in February 
of 1976, members of the Lewiston Auburn Association for the Mentally 
Retarded formed a foundation in Mr. Murphy's honor to continue his 
work.
  On May 18, 1977, the John F. Murphy Foundation for the Mentally 
Retarded was officially established with the mission to provide housing 
for individuals with developmental disabilities. In March of 1978, they 
opened their first home at 23 Pleasant St. in Lewiston for 6 people. 
Today, the agency provides direct support to hundreds of Mainers and 
their families, employs more than 700 people in the greater Lewiston-
Auburn area, and generates millions of dollars in local economic 
activity.
  John F. Murphy Homes has helped to raise awareness about intellectual 
disabilities and the need for group care facilities. The organization's 
remarkable success is owed to the

[[Page 6821]]

outstanding vision of its founders and the tireless work of its 
employees. In January, John F. Murphy Homes received a $1.7 million 
grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to continue 
their important work.
  John F. Murphy's example has truly made the Lewiston-Auburn community 
a better place for the mentally retarded.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating the John F. Murphy 
Homes on achieving 35 years of exemplary service to the Lewiston-Auburn 
community.

                          ____________________