[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 8732-8733]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




COMMEMORATING THE FRIENDSHIP CENTERS OF EMMET COUNTY'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. JACK BERGMAN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 6, 2017

  Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, it's my honor to recognize the Friendship 
Centers of Emmet

[[Page 8733]]

County as they celebrate 50 years of meaningful work in Michigan's 
First Congressional District. Families throughout Michigan understand 
how important it is to have quality and compassionate care for seniors, 
and we are grateful for the Friendship Centers of Emmet County's half-
century of community service.
  The Friendship Centers of Emmet County date back to 1960 when a small 
group of friends in the basement of a Petoskey church decided to gather 
for social activities on a regular basis. Eight years later, the group 
of friends, which had grown significantly and formed a ``Steering 
Committee for a Drop-in Center,'' successfully petitioned the city for 
the use of space in the old Petoskey City Hall building. In 1988, the 
Friendship Center of Petoskey was officially reincorporated as the 
Friendship Centers of Emmet County (FCEC) with three satellite 
locations in Alanson, Harbor Springs and Pellston, aimed at serving the 
educational, social, and physical needs of senior citizens. The 
Friendship Center of Petoskey remained at the old city hall for the 
next thirty years until it moved to its current location on Anderson 
Road in December of 1999.
  In addition to offering a fun and social space for senior citizens to 
gather, the Friendship Centers of Emmet County have consistently proven 
to be leaders in the community through targeted initiatives that 
enhance the wellbeing of elderly citizens. Programs like ``Sit and Be 
Fit'' and Tai Chi classes help members stay healthy, engage seniors in 
activities that enhance their standard of living, and prepare them for 
an active lifestyle in their later years. The FCEC also hosts several 
special guest speakers who provide lectures to seniors on topics 
ranging from health and volunteerism to the arts and environmental 
issues. This program is one of several that exemplify the FCEC's 
tremendous efforts to foster continued academic growth within the 
community, and promote lifelong scholarship in a robust social setting.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the Friendship Centers of Emmet 
County for 50 years of service in the Emmet County communities. 
Northern Michigan residents can take great pride in knowing that Emmet 
County is a better place thanks to the work and dedication of the 
Friendship Centers. On behalf of my constituents across Michigan's 
First District, I thank the Friendship Centers of Emmet County for 
their work and look forward to their continued success.

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