[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17967]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF HARRIET THOMSEN

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                            HON. ADAM SMITH

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 21, 2013

  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Harriet Thomsen 
from Washington State, who will be recognized as an extraordinary 
volunteer by Friend to Friend America at this year's Volunteer 
Appreciation Day on November 23, 2013.
  Harriet has been a volunteer and supporter of Friend to Friend since 
it was founded in 1974. The visitation program connects volunteers to 
elderly or disabled persons living in nursing homes, increasing the 
quality of their lives and establishing long-time friendships. Harriet 
has since been a strong advocate for the elderly community and has 
worked vigorously to maintain Friend to Friend's mission.
  Harriet's passion for volunteerism stem from her first visit to a 
nursing home in her earlier years. She noticed that most homes provided 
dark activity rooms and were lacking sanitary equipment. Harriet 
immediately took charge and published an article in her local newspaper 
asking for donations like paint, chairs and lamps to improve assisted 
living facilities. She also mobilized women at her church, addressing 
the concerns she had about the unfortunate conditions some elderly must 
endure when living in a nursing home. She became invested and took it 
upon herself to positively change the living situation of seniors.
  Although Harriet is highly praised for her selflessness and 
dedication at Friend to Friend, she also volunteers at the Children's 
Hospital Boutique in Kent, Washington and regularly cooks dinners for 
the homeless at Grace Lutheran Church. She is currently a retiree that 
spends more than 40 hours a week assisting others.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I recognize Harriet Thomsen. 
Harriet is a true inspiration and an excellent example of a community 
leader. Her service to Washington State will be appreciated by many for 
years to come.

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