Dale E. Kildee

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Bay Area Community Foundation on obtaining their National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations accreditation from the Community Foundations Standards Board.

The Community Foundations National Standards Board was established as a supporting organization of the Council on Foundations, a nonprofit membership association of grant making foundations and corporations, to administer the National Standards. This board is responsible for upholding the quality, value, and integrity of the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations, the first and only accreditation program of its kind.

In the United States, community foundations serve tens of thousands of donors, administer more than $40 billion in charitable funds, and address the core concerns of more than 700 communities and regions. With such a presence--nationally and within local communities--comes responsibility.

Achieving confirmation and reconfirming compliance with National Standards is a rigorous process, guaranteeing that every community foundation that receives the designation has adhered to excellent philanthropic practice. This program requires community foundations to document their policies for governance, donor services, investments, grantmaking, community leadership, and administration.

The Bay Area Community Foundation of Bay City, Michigan has obtained its National Standards accreditation by demonstrating a commitment to operational quality, integrity, accountability, and adherence to the highest standards for grantmaking.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating the Bay Area Community Foundation on receiving its National Standards accreditation and in commending the foundation's dedicated service to Bay City and other communities in Michigan.

Mr Speaker, on June 20, 2012 a dedicated public servant and civic leader, Jane Smith, passed away and it is fitting that we honor and recognize her public service and commitment.

Jane Smith's inspired leadership, vision and courage has been an immense inspiration to those who believe every human being is endowed with dignity. She spent more than 30 years working to ensure the well- being of our most vulnerable children as a child protective services worker for the State of Michigan. When Robert F. Kennedy was asked how his obituary should read, he responded that he hoped that he made a contribution that improved the world by lessening the suffering of children. For her entire adult life, on a daily basis, Jane Smith lessened the suffering of children. After she retired, Jane Smith continued her compassionate life and dedication. She volunteered on political campaigns, was an active member of the Bay County Democratic Party and in 2004 was appointed chair of the Bay County Department of Human Services Board. She also actively supported the Alice and Jack Wirt Library.

Jane Smith was born May 7, 1945 in Pontiac, Michigan. She graduated from Rochester High School in 1963 and Michigan State University in 1967. She is survived by her brothers, nephews nieces and great-nieces and nephews and her many friends who deeply miss her wit, opinion and stories.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Jane Smith, a woman whose life was an inspiration to us all.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Saginaw Community Foundation on obtaining their National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations accreditation from the Community Foundations Standards Board.

The Community Foundations National Standards Board was established as a supporting organization of the Council on Foundations, a nonprofit membership association of grant making foundations and corporations, to administer the National Standards. This board is responsible for upholding the quality, value, and integrity of the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations, the first and only accreditation program of its kind.

In the United States, community foundations serve tens of thousands of donors, administer more than $40 billion in charitable funds, and address the core concerns of more than 700 communities and regions. With such a presence--nationally and within local communities--comes responsibility.

Achieving confirmation and reconfirming compliance with National Standards is a rigorous process, guaranteeing that every community foundation that receives the designation has adhered to excellent philanthropic practice. This program requires community foundations to document their policies for governance, donor services, investments, grantmaking, community leadership, and administration.

The Saginaw Community Foundation of Saginaw, Michigan has obtained its National Standards accreditation by demonstrating a commitment to operational quality, integrity, accountability, and adherence to the highest standards for grantmaking.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating the Saginaw Community Foundation on receiving its National Standards accreditation and in commending the foundation's dedicated service to Saginaw and other communities in Michigan.